There are moments when you are lost in your thoughts, imagining beautiful scenarios. Sometimes, you think deeply about the people you meet in your daily lives, wondering what they are going through or why they are the way they are. This is exactly what Saturday Stories is like. Author Rashmi Bansal has touched on various stories that one can easily relate to, and most of the stories are so relatable that you feel you have seen these scenarios somewhere in the real world.
About the Book
The author penned these stories during lockdown, which is reflected in her various stories about COVID-19. Starting with the doubts about the vaccines, the author explores the realistic situation that people faced during the lockdown, such as business downturns and the sufferings of migrant workers trying to reach home.
The advantage of such books is that you can experience various genres in one book itself. For example, in one story, you might find yourself reading a filmy love story, while in another, you might explore the topic of racism in an interesting scenario where “White is the new Black.” Hum Aapke Hai Kaun’ shows the excessive expenditures of a big fat Indian wedding. The diverse stories keep you interested, and they are written in a very short and simple manner, so you can read a story or two while taking a little break from your office work or household chores.
Some of the stories are very emotional, while others lack depth like ‘Lord of the Rings’, which I found skippable.
The author subtly shows you the Indian backdrop, such as working in MNREGA or using the newly built toilets. The book also explores new trends like being vegan or intermittent fasting. You also get to see how some people are still trapped in various superstitions that prevail in Indian society, and how solutions can be found to overcome them rather than fighting to change their beliefs, just like Dr. Tanu. She exemplifies how ‘Real Medicine’ is not about the disease but lies in understanding the patient.
Key Takeaways from Saturday Stories
Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones and start making efforts, you will start having positive results. This is one thing you can learn from ‘Grapes of Rot’. Don’t forget that learning new things brings rewards. So we should never underestimate the potential that comes from learning new things.
I personally love slice-of-life stories, especially those that showcase love, compassion, and humanity. There are many such stories that do just that. For example, ‘A Woman of Substance‘ sheds light on how the elderly are sidelined and how lonely they can feel in their later years. It helps us to understand how some warmth can make them feel alive again.
I found ‘Diamonds Are Forever‘ to be very heartwarming. It shows how small acts of kindness can change people’s lives. It also makes us believe that humanity is still alive and that anything is possible if we all come together as a society.
Another story, ‘Rishtey Naate‘, humorously and aptly describes the family groups on WhatsApp that most of us can relate to. However, it also touches on the deeper topic of not knowing our relatives well. It demonstrates how we are always connected through chats but lack understanding in real life.
There are many other stories that you will find worth reading. Go check out the book to find out if the calming and refreshing lavender perfume will ever be able to form an alliance with the strong smell of Hing.
There are 6 additional stories at the end of the book by students of Rashmi Bansal’s short story writing program.
Few Thoughts on Students’ Work
If these stories have made it to be printed in a book, then they rightly deserve it. Although every story is worth reading, I have to mention “Till We Meet Again” by Rengarajan T.S., which made me teary-eyed and helped me to feel the pain of the story’s protagonist. I felt like there was a dagger in my heart.
If that was not enough, the very next story in the book ‘Flying High’ By Srivatsan G. is so heartwarming that I actually ended up crying. Me, being a teacher myself felt even more connected to the story.
The longest story in the book is the last one, ‘Ammaji’, a semi-autobiographical tale by Megha Mehta. It was beautiful, pleasurable, and full of emotions. The ending leaves you in a satisfactory phase, ‘For the heart knows what it knows.’
So, hey readers, grab your copy of Saturday Stories as soon as possible and invest your two days to read some beautiful and near realistic stories that will leave you with good taste, or, if you are planning to go on a long train journey, carry this book. Trust me, this will be your best companion.
Bye-Bye. Will be back soon with another book review.
About the Author
Rashmi Bansal is a prolific author and entrepreneur who has made a significant impact on the field of entrepreneurship in India. Her 10 bestselling books on the topic have sold over 1.2 million copies and have been translated into 12 languages, making her the country’s leading business book author.
This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program. You can buy the book from Amazon
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