Come October and there is a festive air all around in India. The highlight of the year begins with the Navratras and culminates in the 5-day Diwali celebrations. Sometimes extending up to December with Christmas.
Fall is a time for festivals or holidays around the globe too. Harvest festivals such as Oktoberfest in Germany (although a larger part of it is celebrated in September), and the ever-popular Halloween.
Halloween
Halloween is celebrated on 31st October across countries. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhian. A day when the souls visit the world of the living. In the 7th century CE, Pope Boniface IV created All Saints Day to be celebrated on May 13th. A century later, Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1st to counter the growing influence of the pagan festival. The day before the celebration came to be known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween.
In pop culture, Halloween is now all about horror and scares. Of dressing up, often in the scary best. Of trick or treat. Originally, it was a festival to remember the dead. A day when the boundary of the worlds between the living and the dead gets blurred. A day of vigil for the souls who haven’t crossed over yet and for those stuck in purgatory.
Beyond the Veil: Indian Ghost Stories with a Difference
October is all Spooktober to commemorate Halloween. Book lovers celebrate by reading spooky stories. I’m sure you have come across tons of recommendations ranging from classic to contemporary horror. Spine-chilling supernatural thrillers to ghost stories.
Sticking to the theme, I share two books about ghosts. About two women who haven’t moved on due to attachments with material possessions and family, or unfinished business. Two women who could not be more different from each other. Be it the time period or the family dynamics. One who is determined to make her presence felt. Another who just observes, reminisces, and contemplates.
The Aunt Who Wouldn’t Die
by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Buy at Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Pishima, a child bride widowed at 12, finally acquires some agency in death as a ghost. Bitter and resentful, she significantly influences the events in her highly patriarchal family. A home where she had no say even about her own life when she was alive. She finds her medium in Somlata who she trusts with her jewelry box, something the whole family has their eye on.
Somlata, a new bride from a humble background, realizes that the aristocratic family she married into is fast moving into a state of penury. Selling off the family gold and jewels because the feudal men in the family refuse to work. Tackling the hauntings of a Pishima’s sharp tongue ghost and strong opposition from the men, she turns the course of their lives with her entrepreneurial skills and foresight.
Boshon, Somlata’s daughter is a fiercely independent determined teenager. One who wants to fly free. Everything Pishima yearned to be.
Three women. Three generations. Beneath the dark humor, The Aunt Who Wouldn’t Die is a story of oppression and patriarchy. A commentary on the socio-political times of the post-independence India. Of feudal zamindars who refused to accept the changing times. Of determined women who stepped up. Originally written in Bengali and translated into English by Arunava Sinha, a crisp read of barely 140 pages that packs a punch.
Now for some trivia. The book was adapted on screen by Aparna Sen as Goynar Baksho (The Jewelry Box). You can find the original in Bengali with English subtitles on Hoichoi OTT platform. I highly recommend both the book and the movie.
Of Mothers and Other Perishables
by Radhika Oberoi
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Grief. Losing a parent. Does their soul move on or do they stay around to watch over us?
Of Mothers and Other Perishables is about a mother who lost her battle with cancer three decades back but continues to “live” in the store room surrounded by material possessions and memories. Muslin covered sarees, records, photo albums, and other paraphernalia. A gentle soul who cannot move on and looks forward to occasional visits from her family. When they enter the store room, that is. One who is a silent observer of the lives of LP, her husband; The Wailer, her older daughter; and the younger daughter, Toon.
The book is narrated across timelines in two voices. Written in first person, the mother reminisces her life from the 1970s to the present day, from a lively young woman to one battling cancer and finally a ghost. One who has seen her family break down and build back up after losing her. And much like any other mother, one who has an opinion on the going-ons in her daughters’ lives.
The voice of The Wailer is narrated in the third person. A young woman who was forced to grow up early due to her mother’s illness. One who struggles to hang on to her mother’s memories. Her fallout with her sister. The workplace dynamics in the advertising agency where she works. The “boy’s club” and the struggle to make her voice heard. Set during the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, it is a conversation on the socio-political climate too.
On the JCB Prize for Literature 2024 longlist, this highly relatable book is a must-read.
Beyond the popular horror stories, pick these books with a difference that celebrate women, their determination, and sisterhood. Because reading spooky stories should not be limited to October, right? Do you have a similar recommendation? Do share in the comments below.
Beyond Horror: Compelling Contemporary Indian Ghost Stories #BookishLeague Share on XThis post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
This post is a part of ‘Feeling Festive Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters
Photo credit: Canva.com
Ambica Gulati
October 24, 2024 @ 8:47 am
I’d like to read them both, though I sometimes get goosebumps reading such stories. However, not moving on shouldn’t be an option for ghosts. I mean there’s hardly any choice left, right? 😛
Sonia Dogra
October 25, 2024 @ 10:59 am
Hi Ritu. I love the preview of both the books and would love to read them asap. Thank you.
Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu
October 25, 2024 @ 8:20 pm
Kudos for reading them and giving us your suggestions. But honestly, I dread the horror genre and maintain a safe distance from it.
Sivaranjini Anandan
November 9, 2024 @ 10:02 pm
Ghost stories are my mom’s favorites but for me, they should have some comedy then I can read them too.
Cindy
October 26, 2024 @ 11:27 am
Wow I need to read something that’s really horror and not just normal ghost hauting men. Let me see if I can get my hands on them.
Dr. Aparna Salvi Nagda
October 27, 2024 @ 8:46 am
You have changed the whole dynamics of Halloween with these poignant recommendations. Thanks for the shift in paradigm. While your first recommendation was on my tbr, I’m now adding the second one, too.
Abhijit Ray
November 1, 2024 @ 4:03 pm
I think I might have seen “Goynar Baksho” but unable to put my finger to it. I think a ghost story should be subtle and yet fear invoking. During my childhood days, Ghost stories used to make us fall from chair. Many were scary. One may argue, those days electricity was not widespread, and one had to go to toilets generally outside the house, often in the dark. Someone lurking in the shadow would be considered believable. I think Indian ghost stories are more relatable and scary.
Real story that had my goat was Exorcist, where I was scared to sleep in the dark alone after watching the movie. Compared to stories I read in my childhood, Halloween appears to be a prank. It never scared me, no wonder how many pumpkins are peeled and made to look scary. Even Fiday the 13th looks more like a hacking comedy than a paranormal incidence.
Tarang
October 27, 2024 @ 12:58 pm
The Aunt Who Wouldn’t Die is on my TBR list (in fact, many of Arunava Sinha’s books are on my TBR list). And I didn’t know there was a film based on this book. Just checked it stars Konkona Sen Sharma, and I am going to watch it. Thank you. Of Mothers and Other Perishables seems very intriguing. The theme reminds me of a very interesting book that I read recently —The Lies Among Us.
Nilshree yelulkar
October 27, 2024 @ 11:35 pm
I am beginning to read horror genre now, just read one book. Your insights are helpful as well as have come at right time. Will add these to my TBR.
Harshita Nanda
October 28, 2024 @ 7:28 pm
Ah! reading this blogpost for the Everything Festive Blog Hop and Halloween is one that none of us thought of!
As usual, after reading your blog post, my TBR has grown. You certainly have the knack of finding books that keep us enthralled.
Deepti Menon
October 28, 2024 @ 8:10 pm
Both your book reviews make me itch to read these books. Thank you for adding on the the Halloween info by moving on to these unusual Spooktober recommendations. I would love to watch the movie as well. Thank you for sharing this post with all of us.
Janaki
October 29, 2024 @ 4:20 pm
I think I want to read ‘Of Mothers and Other Perishables’. Having lost my mother recently, this made me think if my mother too, is waiting in the small store room, waiting for us to gather in that home year after year. Scary thought though.
Preeti Chauhan
October 30, 2024 @ 12:03 pm
Yes Ritu, according to folklore, souls that have unfinished business or unfulfilled desires cannot get redemption and haunt the families as ghosts.
Though I am too faint hearted for horror books or movies but something tells me these are not blood and gore kind of stories but actually have a message and a relevant theme to the distress of the wandering soul.I sure could pick up these.
Tomichan Matheikal
October 31, 2024 @ 3:20 pm
A very unique post on the given theme. I’d like to read these books, they seem appealing.
Abhijit Ray
November 1, 2024 @ 4:01 pm
I think I might have seen “Goynar Baksho” but unable to put my finger to it. I think a ghost story should be subtle and yet fear invoking. During my childhood days, Ghost stories used to make us fall from chair. Many were scary. One may argue, those days electricity was not widespread, and one had to go to toilets generally outside the house, often in the dark. Someone lurking in the shadow would be considered believable. I think Indian ghost stories are more relatable and scary.
Real story that had my goat was Exorcist, where I was scared to sleep in the dark alone after watching the movie. Compared to stories I read in my childhood, Halloween appears to be a prank. It never scared me, no wonder how many pumpkins are peeled and made to look scary. Even Fiday the 13th looks more like a hacking comedy than a paranormal incidence.
Reubenna Dutta
November 2, 2024 @ 11:29 pm
I have watched Aparna Sen’s Goynar Baksho but have yet to read the story by Shirshendu Mukherji. His stories are always humorous. I found the film very entertaining too.
Samata
November 4, 2024 @ 1:50 am
Ghost 👻 stories and movies are good to read and enjoy especially in the Halloween 🎃 month. Although I don’t believe in ghost but I do enjoy their supernatural presence in the stories and entertainment factor is superb. I will pick Arunava Sinha’s translated work to read 📚 ghost presence is enjoyed the most in movies because of visualization
Tanvi Agarwal
November 6, 2024 @ 5:52 pm
Halloween is becoming a trend in India too, and i love talking about it. Even I found one of my friends in stranger’s halloween party
Sindhu
November 7, 2024 @ 12:36 am
Ritu i really love your choice of books always and this time it’s definitely intriguing. Loved your choice of festivity and book suggestions
Aishwariya Laxmi
November 7, 2024 @ 7:28 pm
Hi Ritu,
The first book seems more interesting to me. However, just want to check whether it is too scary. I get scared easily these days. Like even cartoon horror is scary for me nowadays.
Manali Desai
November 7, 2024 @ 9:14 pm
I love, love, love, the fact that you listed only a couple of books, and those too are not from the ones we would generally find on such lists, even if they’re from Indian authors. Thanks for these very unique recommendations Ritu. Since I’m now brave enough, after reading a few in this genre, I will definitely be checking these out
Swati
November 8, 2024 @ 3:57 am
I liked the way you’ve connected the books to the festival, Halloween. Reading this post makes me little nervous as I’m reading this at night!
Sameer Gudhate
November 8, 2024 @ 4:07 am
These two ghost stories offer such a unique twist on the traditional Halloween theme. Both are rich in emotions and delve deep into the complexities of love, loss, and unfinished business. The Aunt Who Wouldn’t Die cleverly mixes dark humor with a poignant commentary on patriarchy, while Of Mothers and Other Perishables beautifully explores grief and the bond between mother and daughter. It’s refreshing to see stories that celebrate women’s resilience and their struggles in such a hauntingly relatable way. I’ll definitely be adding these to my reading list! What about you?
Shifali
November 8, 2024 @ 10:24 am
I was not aware of the real reason of Celebrating Halloween. Your post is quite intriguing and makes the reader embrace Halloween and related books. I will like to read these.
Preeti Chauhan
November 8, 2024 @ 6:25 pm
Not a fan of Horror in any form but when served like this , where the idea is not to haunt and scare but talk about deeper issues.So ‘Of mothers and other perishables ” seems like a relatable one and I am all for it.Still I would stay away from audiobooks , way too spooky !
sukaina
November 8, 2024 @ 11:25 pm
Did you see similarity between writings between arundhati and the translation by Arunava Sinha? I am picking the first book and going to read it. I love dark humour mocking the patriarchal system.
Jeannine
November 9, 2024 @ 1:28 pm
I’m sorry to tell you but I skipped reading most of this post. Not because I didn’t like how you write but because of the kid in me that still isn’t brave enough for horror things (may it be in writing or movies). I guess, you can say effective writing as it scared me! haha
Aditya Sathe
November 9, 2024 @ 1:54 pm
Ghost stories are not my cup of tea!!! I am very scared … I always steer clear from them.
Ratna
November 10, 2024 @ 12:26 pm
Both compelling reviews and even though I’m not a horror fan, the Indian setting puts them into my TBR.
Ishieta
November 10, 2024 @ 1:37 pm
okay these sound like genuinely scary stories…hehe, i tend to stay away from horror but reading here i wish id get the courage to read these and check them out…
Neha Sharma
November 10, 2024 @ 11:11 pm
These ghost stories sound so intriguing! I love how they focus on strong, unforgettable women, dealing with family and resilience in such a unique way. Definitely going on my to-read list!
Anuradha Sowmyanarayanan
November 11, 2024 @ 4:28 pm
Ghost stories are a form of supernatural fiction specifically weird fiction, and are often horror stories. While ghost stories are often explicitly meant to scare, they have been written to serve all sorts of purposes, from comedy to morality tales.
In some cases, ghost stories were used to promote good behavior, warning people that pitiful lost souls were damned because of immoral lives. In other instances, they were used to explain death, just as certain Gods were used to explain natural phenomena.
Sindhu
November 11, 2024 @ 4:50 pm
I loved both your recommendations. Gets me intrigued as it’s one of my favourite genre.
Chandrika R Krishnan
November 12, 2024 @ 10:48 am
Intrigued by your recommendation. Interesting how you changed the reading list for Halloween. Though I agree with one of the comments that I glanced through. Halloween is more like a prank..not at all scary.
Swarnali Nath
November 14, 2024 @ 9:02 pm
Not a fan of the Horror genre but very recently I have developed a fondness for reading heart-touching horror stories. Have watched the movie Goynar Bkasho, it’s indeed funny and a beautiful movie!