Book Review: Melancholic Delight

Melancholic Delight by Tista Ray.

Smriti Publishers

About the Author

Tista Ray, a near 18 years authoress has penned her debut novella ‘Melancholic Delight’. The book has been published in January 2013. She’s an Indian by birth. She’s actively involved in writing newspaper articles and is keen in making a difference to this world. 

First Sight:

A light and easy to carry book, with just 80 pages. (Reminded me of the fairy tale books read as a child)

The cover page is colorful and shades of nature are beautifully depicted, I liked it.  The image effectively depicts the emotions conveyed in the book. Thus, the Title is well complemented by the design cover.  Yellow and Green can be associated with ‘Delight’ and Black with ‘Melancholy’.  

 

The Story :

Sri is a young gal who is not on a look out for true love and happiness but she desires it in the corner of her heart.  She prefers to keep her emotions to herself until she realizes its time to voice it out. She lives a life which lacks love, affection and freedom. She longs for warmth and passion in her life but fails in the relationship with her mother.  The relationship depicted between mother and daughter seems strained and compulsive. Thus Sri’s life needs light of hope which she finds it in a boy of her class in school, Jishu.  She starts adoring him and finds joyful solace in being close to him.  The road to love has no end point and Sri is all set to follow her heart but she has many fears….. She is absolutely charmed and happy in her own world, totally smitten by the charisma of love but the boy has his own ways….. He acts playful, naughty and absurd at several instances and their relationship holds nothing in concrete.

The mention of classroom, notebooks, teachers, coaching reminds us of school and of the days when we have all had a special friend, best friend or a class-room sweetheart.

Just like any girl, Sri fears taking the first step, sometimes she question her limitations and her previous behavior. She also acts differently and absurdly even distancing herself with her friends. Love has its effects on her and she gets blinded by it all.  It makes her happy and delightful.  She ignores the relationships around her and values this one more because she has never felt the same as being around Jishu.  But Jishu is different and what happens next is for the readers to find out.

The best part of this puppy love or best called infatuation is pure and thoughtful. Its delightful to read the lighter bits and pieces of love with all its complications.

My Thoughts:

The beauty of the book lies in its simplicity and the author proves herself as a promising word-weaver. She has played with words lovingly and interestingly and thus creates a treat for the readers. Its deep, thoughtful and fills one with love and joy. The feelings are conveyed strongly and one that are free from manipulations. The readers will be transported in the days of innocence and purity that come with the tender age. I liked the protagonist expressing her feelings boldly and with conviction but at times I felt her state of confusion marred the impact that the story could make.

Jishu’s character was a little difficult to comprehend. He is not the usual good and studious types guy but has his own style and aura. Some may love him the way he is or some may want him to change. Sri had her own reservations and views for him and at times I felt why did it all get so complicated ? But then life is not worth it until it showers us with complications and issues hard to tackle.  One side its melancholy and the other side its delight. Some days are happy and some sad. 

I would have loved to read more because in its present state it reads more as a figment of a big story. 

You may buy the book here.

Happy Reading!!!

🙂 🙂