ऎक टोले पडतायेत - रत्नाकर मतकरी यांच्या ३० गूढकथा (Book Review)

Book Details

Title – Aik Tole Padtayet

Author – Ratnakar Matkari

Genre – Fiction

Publisher – Navchaitanya Publication

No of pages – 215

To buy this book, visit Amazon 

Ghosts! Aren’t they fascinating? No, not in a fancy, exciting way but they keep us enthralled, curious about them. Though till date many of us might have not experienced ghosts but they somehow manage to keep our lives intrigued. Don’t they?

And of course, they are some well-known writers who would not let us forget about them and then their writing keeps us hooked, make us extremely curious with their spine-chilling stories.

I read a lot! Back then I used to read a lot of Marathi and Hindi literature and now English literature has me engaged for all these years. That’s when I thought that I should also look back and refresh my reading skills in other languages as well.

And there I laid my hands on Ratnakar Matkari’s book and wow, what a book it is. I love spending my time reading books and this one has certainly entertained me, kept me curious. With every story, I got to know better of renowned author Ratnakar Matkari’s excellent story narration and I look forward to read many of his books now!

So here is my review of the recently read book – ‘Aik, tole padtayet! (A compilation of 30 suspense stories)

Those were the days when the authors had this unimaginable yet very simplistic way of writing which still made readers mesmerized by it. Same goes with Ratnakar Matkari’s book –

To begin with – Aik, tole padtayet is a classic story in which how an old lady keeps cheating her death by inviting guests at her bungalow. Every guest who hears clock ticking expires after exactly five days. The funny part of this story is when newly appointed auditor Mr. Pundalik spends a night at her bungalow and comes out alive. It’s because this time Mrs. Piroj could not cheat her death as Mr. Pundalik is hard on hearing. When you keep cheating your death multiple times, but there is a time when you cannot escape the universal truth of life and death.

Another suspenseful and hair-raising story that I really enjoyed reading was – Tarkar. Even after reading the last paragraph twice, I could not understand but I loved the suspense.

Every story has a different angle and the author smartly ends each story on a suspense note only to make a reader linger on it for some time.

Bandh, The heart-wrenching story of a couple who loses their only child in an accident and how their relationship becomes sour; Vacancy – agonizing yet intriguing story of people losing their jobs as well as life after one another leaves you spellbound; Haak – the long-distance relationship between a father and a son and how a father’s infinite bond helps him save his only child; Shevatcha Tappa – a very interesting yet painstakingly emotional story of Ramakka where she is on a deathbed but her death isn’t a normal one could think of rather she goes through every step of her earlier life and her demise is surprisingly shocking and Come on Rocky – is a spellbound story of Mr. Barde who lives alone with his only dog Rocky. The suspenseful death of a dog’s owner and his dog is something to ponder on and on.

Every story is beautifully weaved with equally suspenseful end makes you want to read more and more. Author Ratnakar Matkari does not disappoint you even in the last few chapters left. Prachiti is the final story of this impressive compilation that you would really enjoy and would think that the book should have more stories.

Yes, the writing is simple yet extremely impressive. None of the stories are boring or ordinary. Each story is unique in its own way. There is no dull moment in this book and one can easily finish it off this 215 pages of a book in one seating.

It has drama, suspense, emotions, and pain. The book also reflects human conflicts and emotions when it comes to relationships. It also encourages you to think before you take any hasty decisions about own life or relationships.

Overall, I liked this book a lot and definitely I am looking forward to reading more of his books.

The book cover and the title

The title is absolutely apt as we all know how the clock’s ticking plays an essential role in a horror story. The author also begins narrating the story that has this title. The tall bungalow with its eerie appearance justifies the compilation of Ratnakar Matkari’s suspense stories.

Rating

4.5/5

Who am I to review this book as the author himself has gained the superior position in Marathi Literature? I reviewed this book for two reasons, one wanted to give my readers something different and secondly, I want to encourage people of Marathi origin as well as people who understand Marathi to read this book.

Yes, I definitely recommend this book to all of you!

About the author

Ratnakar Ramkrushna Matkari (born 1938) is a Marathi writer, a movie and play producer/director, and a self-taught artist from Maharashtra, India. He has written many mind-blowing novels that include: Ek Diwa Vizhavtana, Khekada, Fashi Bakhal, Rangandhala, Soneri Manachi Pari, Ansh, Baal, Andhaar Padla, and many more.

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