What do you think?
Rate this book
The Rhythm of Riddles: Three Byomkesh Bakshi Mysteries
Saradindu Bandyopadyay's immortal detective Byomkesh Bakshi has enjoyed immense popularity for several decades. From being a household name in the Calcutta of 1930s, when he first created, to a popular face on TV in the 1990s, Byomkesh along with his friend-cum-foil Ajit is perhaps the best-loved of India's literary detectives. This collection brings together three of his classic whodunnits. From a murder in a boarding house with too many suspects to a mystery with a supernatural twist, and then busting a black - marketeering ring in rural bengal, these stories take the super sleuth to different locales on his quest for truth, and bring out his ingenuity and astuteness. Translated into English for the first time by award-winning translator Arunava Sinha, the breathless pace and thrilling plots of these action-packed adventures will win Byomkesh a new genertion of admirers.
216 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
15 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay
179 books451 followersSharadindu Bandyopadhyay (Bengali: শরদিন্দু বন্দোপাধ্যায়; 30 March 1899 – 22 September 1970) was a well-known literary figure of Bengal. He was also actively involved with Bengali cinema as well as Bollywood. His most famous creation is the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi.
He wrote different forms of prose: novels, short stories, plays and screenplays. However, his forte was short stories and novels. He wrote historical fiction like Kaler Mandira, GourMollar (initially named as Mouri Nodir Teere), Tumi Sandhyar Megh, Tungabhadrar Teere (all novels), Chuya-Chandan, Maru O Sangha (later made into a Hindi film named Trishangni) and stories of the unnatural with the recurring character Baroda. Besides, he wrote many songs and poems.
Awards: 'Rabindra Puraskar' in 1967 for the novel 'Tungabhadrar Tirey'. 'Sarat Smriti Purashkar' in 1967 by Calcutta University.
He wrote different forms of prose: novels, short stories, plays and screenplays. However, his forte was short stories and novels. He wrote historical fiction like Kaler Mandira, GourMollar (initially named as Mouri Nodir Teere), Tumi Sandhyar Megh, Tungabhadrar Teere (all novels), Chuya-Chandan, Maru O Sangha (later made into a Hindi film named Trishangni) and stories of the unnatural with the recurring character Baroda. Besides, he wrote many songs and poems.
Awards: 'Rabindra Puraskar' in 1967 for the novel 'Tungabhadrar Tirey'. 'Sarat Smriti Purashkar' in 1967 by Calcutta University.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 24, 2023
The Rhythm of Riddles
Three Byomkesh Bakshi stories have been translated in this collection by Arunava Sinha. The stories in this collection include:
The Rhythm of Riddles
Byomkesh and Barada
The death of Amrito
This is the first time that these timeless classics have been translated in English. Each story has a completely different plot in approach and setting. As a reader therefore you find the reading engrossing and emotionally riveting. Despite the period setting the reader never feels alienated and out of tune with the protagonists. Must read for all Byomkesh fans
Three Byomkesh Bakshi stories have been translated in this collection by Arunava Sinha. The stories in this collection include:
The Rhythm of Riddles
Byomkesh and Barada
The death of Amrito
This is the first time that these timeless classics have been translated in English. Each story has a completely different plot in approach and setting. As a reader therefore you find the reading engrossing and emotionally riveting. Despite the period setting the reader never feels alienated and out of tune with the protagonists. Must read for all Byomkesh fans
October 6, 2019
This is the first book I read for Diverse Detectives Month (Or rather the first three books :))
I decided to start with a book which had a collection of Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries. After finishing one book, I decided to read another and then another. I think there are only three translated collections of Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries in English. Now I have read them all. The three books I read were 'Picture Imperfect', 'The Menagerie' and 'The Rhythm of Riddles'. The first two were translated by Sreejata Guha, who was probably the first to translate Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries into English twenty years back, and then continued translating other Bengali classics into English. The third book was translated by Arunava Sinha, who is the current doyen of Bengali-English translators. The first book had seven stories, the second one four, and the third one three – that is fourteen stories in all. The first collection mostly had stories from the first part of Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's career, from 1932 to 1937. The second collection had stories from the second part of his career, from 1952 onwards. The last story in the second collection was written in 1967.
Byomkesh Bakshi was one of the first Indian fictional detectives. The first Byomkesh Bakshi mystery appeared in 1932 and the last one in 1969. There was a break of fifteen years between 1937 and 1952, when Saradindu Bandyopadhyay went to write screenplays for Bollywood, but he came back and continued from where he left off. While reading the stories, it is hard not to spot similarities between Byomkesh and Sherlock Holmes – the way the character gets introduced first, the way the narrator Ajit and Byomkesh become roommates. There is even a police officer similar to Lestrade who creates problems for Byomkesh. Sometimes, Byomkesh wakes up Ajit in the middle of the night, or early in the morning, to go out on a mission. He doesn't say, "Wake up, Ajit! The game is afoot!" though. However, as we read more stories, we discover that the two series diverge, because Byomkesh and his friend Ajit are quintessentially Indian and Bengali. In many stories, at some point we can make a list of suspects, and typically the culprit is one of them. But it is hard to guess who. Saradindu Bandyopadhyay almost never cheats by bringing an unknown character from outside the main cast and declaring he / she is the culprit. Which us a wonderful thing. There are beautiful, humorous passages in many of the stories, and though things get lost in translation (which is one of the essential aspects of humour, that it gets lost in translation), the humour typically peeps out through the translated English sentences and is a pleasure to read.
Some of the stories in the book are short, but others are long, while some approach the length of a novella. I liked the stories from both the time periods, but I think I liked the longer stories more than the shorter ones. In one story, which runs to more than a hundred pages, called 'The Quills of the Porcupine', Byomkesh Bakshi and Ajit come only in the beginning and in the end. The middle, which is the biggest part of the story, features a young couple who are newly married, and describes how their relationship evolves. If we remove the mystery aspect of the story, it almost reads like the story told in one of my favourite Tamil movies, 'Mouna Ragam'. I wonder whether Maniratnam just lifted Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's story (maybe from its film adaptation), made some changes to it and called it 'Mouna Ragam'. If that is true, then it will be one more case of a famous Tamil movie being a copycat of another. I feel sad just contemplating on it. The longest story in the book is 'The Menagerie', which runs to more than 150 pages. It has a complex plot with many murders and suspects and an ending which is hard to guess. It was made into a famous movie by Satyajit Ray, and I want to watch that sometime.
I enjoyed reading these three Byomkesh Bakshi mystery collections. It was interesting to read about India of a different time, and about this famous detective, or truth-seeker as he called himself, and how he discovered the truth about strange happenings, and how he brought bad guys to book, with a little help from friends. There is an acclaimed TV adaptation of the Byomkesh Bakshi stories starring Rajat Kapoor. I think I have watched one or two episodes of it. I hope to watch it properly one of these days.
Have you read Byomkesh Bakshi stories? What do you think about them? Which ones are your favourites?
I decided to start with a book which had a collection of Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries. After finishing one book, I decided to read another and then another. I think there are only three translated collections of Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries in English. Now I have read them all. The three books I read were 'Picture Imperfect', 'The Menagerie' and 'The Rhythm of Riddles'. The first two were translated by Sreejata Guha, who was probably the first to translate Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries into English twenty years back, and then continued translating other Bengali classics into English. The third book was translated by Arunava Sinha, who is the current doyen of Bengali-English translators. The first book had seven stories, the second one four, and the third one three – that is fourteen stories in all. The first collection mostly had stories from the first part of Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's career, from 1932 to 1937. The second collection had stories from the second part of his career, from 1952 onwards. The last story in the second collection was written in 1967.
Byomkesh Bakshi was one of the first Indian fictional detectives. The first Byomkesh Bakshi mystery appeared in 1932 and the last one in 1969. There was a break of fifteen years between 1937 and 1952, when Saradindu Bandyopadhyay went to write screenplays for Bollywood, but he came back and continued from where he left off. While reading the stories, it is hard not to spot similarities between Byomkesh and Sherlock Holmes – the way the character gets introduced first, the way the narrator Ajit and Byomkesh become roommates. There is even a police officer similar to Lestrade who creates problems for Byomkesh. Sometimes, Byomkesh wakes up Ajit in the middle of the night, or early in the morning, to go out on a mission. He doesn't say, "Wake up, Ajit! The game is afoot!" though. However, as we read more stories, we discover that the two series diverge, because Byomkesh and his friend Ajit are quintessentially Indian and Bengali. In many stories, at some point we can make a list of suspects, and typically the culprit is one of them. But it is hard to guess who. Saradindu Bandyopadhyay almost never cheats by bringing an unknown character from outside the main cast and declaring he / she is the culprit. Which us a wonderful thing. There are beautiful, humorous passages in many of the stories, and though things get lost in translation (which is one of the essential aspects of humour, that it gets lost in translation), the humour typically peeps out through the translated English sentences and is a pleasure to read.
Some of the stories in the book are short, but others are long, while some approach the length of a novella. I liked the stories from both the time periods, but I think I liked the longer stories more than the shorter ones. In one story, which runs to more than a hundred pages, called 'The Quills of the Porcupine', Byomkesh Bakshi and Ajit come only in the beginning and in the end. The middle, which is the biggest part of the story, features a young couple who are newly married, and describes how their relationship evolves. If we remove the mystery aspect of the story, it almost reads like the story told in one of my favourite Tamil movies, 'Mouna Ragam'. I wonder whether Maniratnam just lifted Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's story (maybe from its film adaptation), made some changes to it and called it 'Mouna Ragam'. If that is true, then it will be one more case of a famous Tamil movie being a copycat of another. I feel sad just contemplating on it. The longest story in the book is 'The Menagerie', which runs to more than 150 pages. It has a complex plot with many murders and suspects and an ending which is hard to guess. It was made into a famous movie by Satyajit Ray, and I want to watch that sometime.
I enjoyed reading these three Byomkesh Bakshi mystery collections. It was interesting to read about India of a different time, and about this famous detective, or truth-seeker as he called himself, and how he discovered the truth about strange happenings, and how he brought bad guys to book, with a little help from friends. There is an acclaimed TV adaptation of the Byomkesh Bakshi stories starring Rajat Kapoor. I think I have watched one or two episodes of it. I hope to watch it properly one of these days.
Have you read Byomkesh Bakshi stories? What do you think about them? Which ones are your favourites?
May 29, 2016
2.5/5 This book contains 3 Byomkesh short-stories translated from Bengali. Surprisingly, the first of the three is the worst crime-fiction I have ever read. The second story had supernatural elements and was genuinely good, the third was decent. The writing style is a but dry.
I have been reading Satyajit Ray's Feluda omnibus for d past 3-4 days and decided to pick this one up from d library for more of the same and a little change too. But, Feluda stories r better. Will try few more stories of Byomkesh.
I have been reading Satyajit Ray's Feluda omnibus for d past 3-4 days and decided to pick this one up from d library for more of the same and a little change too. But, Feluda stories r better. Will try few more stories of Byomkesh.
October 20, 2021
Byomkesh Bakshi's serial in Doordarshan came alive to me when I was reading the stories. Well translated and I could visualize the stories. Mystery and detection (seeking the truth as Byomkesh likes to introduce) a treat to mystery/detective story readers.
May 7, 2019
Fabulous detective stories.
April 13, 2020
There are only 3 novellas in this edition (out of total of 33 stories which feature Byomkesh) and it is primarily written for children between the 7-14 years. Out of the 3 stories, Byomkesh O Barada and The Death of Amrito are good stories; the narrative is captivating and the revelation catches you by surprise. Few tit bits about Byomkesh, Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay and some background about the stories are given at the end of the book.
April 25, 2015
After reading this anthology have really nice stories of Byomkesh bakshi. First Indian detective that has gain respect in bengal and after series on DD all over India. Stories are even better than series, tv or cinema has certain limitations but words give free rien to your imagination. Have been admirer of English and scandinavian detective fiction but fell in love with this indian detective fiction because to read whole thing in indian milieu is nice experience.
So avid detective fiction reader can go for this one, it is as cool as holmes or poirot.
So avid detective fiction reader can go for this one, it is as cool as holmes or poirot.
April 28, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I'd watched the DoorDarshan episodes of at least 2 of these mysteries, following them with Byomkesh Babu in such detail was great. BB remains to this day, my favourite detective :)
January 16, 2022
My first read of the year is ‘The Rhythm of Riddles,’ a collection of three Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries translated from Bengali to English by Arunava Sinha. This book is a 2012-release, and the book has three stories: The Rhythm of Riddles, Byomkesh and Barada and the Death of Amrito. I started reading this one sometime in the last week of December 2021. For the uninitiated, Byomkesh Bakshi is a homegrown, Indian fictional detective. Sharadindu Bandopadhyay has authored the Byomkesh series of stories.
Now Byomkesh Bakshi is a character that was televised in the 90s. There have been some 20-odd movies made from Sharadindu’s stories, including a Bollywood movie. Moreover, a very popular radio show on Byomkesh’s stories still draws in thousands of listeners on YouTube. So one might as well say that there is a certain nostalgia amongst a large section of readers, which is good for the book’s reception.
However, Arunava Sinha’s translation does a fair job of translating the milieu of the Kolkata of 1930-50s in these stories.
The middle-class world of Byomkesh, both ordinary and distinct, has been captured well. I believe that the mental prowess of the simple cigarette-puffing, dhoti-wearing gentleman detective manages to stay relevant even for readers who lack familiarity with his stories. In that, Arunava Sinha does a great job. The distance of the stories in terms of the geography and the period in which they occur is not felt so much. One feels that even if these events were to occur today, in 2022, the fundamental nature of the criminals’ actions and those of the gentleman detective would not be drastically different.
In the first story, The Rhythm of Riddles, one sees the popular mess or boarding house– an indispensable part of urban Kolkata. The mess is like a hostel for young men who work in Kolkata by the day and do not have their accommodation, for they have just poured into the city from the scores of smaller cities and towns of Bengal to earn a living. If one were to visit Kolkata even today, one would find several such instances of this ‘mess.’ The whole story takes place in this mess. The post-partition reality of Bengalis finds a place in this story. The story starts when Byomkesh is away from Kolkata on work, and a murder takes place in this boarding. As Byomkesh is away, his friend and sidekick Ajit pens down the entire account of the murder to help him solve the mystery upon his return. And indeed, Byomkesh manages to solve the murder in a short time, using nothing else but his cerebral prowess and power of deduction. In the end, though, Byomkesh decides to let the murderer go free. Perhaps, that is how justice is served sometimes.
Quoting the writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, he says, “No one hangs for killing a crow.”
The other two stories feature the supernatural world of ghosts. And in keeping with the tone and content of the stories, they are based in the quaint towns of Munger and Baghmari. The stories, both a bit longer than the first one, give us a look inside Byomkesh’s mind and how he sees the world. The small-town world of an India that has just become independent has been portrayed with empathy and curiosity. The rustic setting offers the befitting backdrop for all the mysteries buried deep within them, both the supernatural and perfectly natural ones. And the stories take you for an adventurous ride that ends with a layer-by-layer unraveling.
Overall, a short but captivating read. And I am certain the book will be equally enjoyed even by those not familiar with the world of Satyanweshi Byomkesh Bakshi.
Now Byomkesh Bakshi is a character that was televised in the 90s. There have been some 20-odd movies made from Sharadindu’s stories, including a Bollywood movie. Moreover, a very popular radio show on Byomkesh’s stories still draws in thousands of listeners on YouTube. So one might as well say that there is a certain nostalgia amongst a large section of readers, which is good for the book’s reception.
However, Arunava Sinha’s translation does a fair job of translating the milieu of the Kolkata of 1930-50s in these stories.
The middle-class world of Byomkesh, both ordinary and distinct, has been captured well. I believe that the mental prowess of the simple cigarette-puffing, dhoti-wearing gentleman detective manages to stay relevant even for readers who lack familiarity with his stories. In that, Arunava Sinha does a great job. The distance of the stories in terms of the geography and the period in which they occur is not felt so much. One feels that even if these events were to occur today, in 2022, the fundamental nature of the criminals’ actions and those of the gentleman detective would not be drastically different.
In the first story, The Rhythm of Riddles, one sees the popular mess or boarding house– an indispensable part of urban Kolkata. The mess is like a hostel for young men who work in Kolkata by the day and do not have their accommodation, for they have just poured into the city from the scores of smaller cities and towns of Bengal to earn a living. If one were to visit Kolkata even today, one would find several such instances of this ‘mess.’ The whole story takes place in this mess. The post-partition reality of Bengalis finds a place in this story. The story starts when Byomkesh is away from Kolkata on work, and a murder takes place in this boarding. As Byomkesh is away, his friend and sidekick Ajit pens down the entire account of the murder to help him solve the mystery upon his return. And indeed, Byomkesh manages to solve the murder in a short time, using nothing else but his cerebral prowess and power of deduction. In the end, though, Byomkesh decides to let the murderer go free. Perhaps, that is how justice is served sometimes.
Quoting the writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, he says, “No one hangs for killing a crow.”
The other two stories feature the supernatural world of ghosts. And in keeping with the tone and content of the stories, they are based in the quaint towns of Munger and Baghmari. The stories, both a bit longer than the first one, give us a look inside Byomkesh’s mind and how he sees the world. The small-town world of an India that has just become independent has been portrayed with empathy and curiosity. The rustic setting offers the befitting backdrop for all the mysteries buried deep within them, both the supernatural and perfectly natural ones. And the stories take you for an adventurous ride that ends with a layer-by-layer unraveling.
Overall, a short but captivating read. And I am certain the book will be equally enjoyed even by those not familiar with the world of Satyanweshi Byomkesh Bakshi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
This book consist of 3 stories.
a. The rhythm of riddles
b. Byomkesh and barda
c. The death of Amrito
Among these 3 "The death of Amrito" was the one I liked most. Recently it was made into a movie by Arindam Sil by the title "Byomkesh Parbo" where Satyabati is forcefully pushed into the storyline.
The story is simple Amrito or Amra dies and Byomkesh try to solve his murder which has its roots in arms smuggling after 2nd world war.
key features of the book
1. Introduction by Dibakar Banerjee the bollywood movie director which is a must read so much associated with bengali sentiments and one being giving books as presents and visiting relatives during summer vacation and load shedding followed by reading under the mombati(candle).
2. Byomkesh is an arrogant bad-arse and I mean it in a good way. He is person who is so much into finding the truth at times you feel that he is mad. At times he let the culprit walk free.
what not to expect?
1. Do not constantly compare Byomkesh and Feluda, I know its tempting but this comparison makes the stories somewhat ineffective. Two different person completely in same profession.
2. It is a translation, so at times it feels lifeless. But Arunava Sinha has done great work in translating the books, didn't find it to me lifeless till my cousin read me the stories in Bangla. It might be the hunch for mother tongue .
a. The rhythm of riddles
b. Byomkesh and barda
c. The death of Amrito
Among these 3 "The death of Amrito" was the one I liked most. Recently it was made into a movie by Arindam Sil by the title "Byomkesh Parbo" where Satyabati is forcefully pushed into the storyline.
The story is simple Amrito or Amra dies and Byomkesh try to solve his murder which has its roots in arms smuggling after 2nd world war.
key features of the book
1. Introduction by Dibakar Banerjee the bollywood movie director which is a must read so much associated with bengali sentiments and one being giving books as presents and visiting relatives during summer vacation and load shedding followed by reading under the mombati(candle).
2. Byomkesh is an arrogant bad-arse and I mean it in a good way. He is person who is so much into finding the truth at times you feel that he is mad. At times he let the culprit walk free.
what not to expect?
1. Do not constantly compare Byomkesh and Feluda, I know its tempting but this comparison makes the stories somewhat ineffective. Two different person completely in same profession.
2. It is a translation, so at times it feels lifeless. But Arunava Sinha has done great work in translating the books, didn't find it to me lifeless till my cousin read me the stories in Bangla. It might be the hunch for mother tongue .
June 23, 2019
Even though not the best from the author , this was a wonderful read. Taking enough cues from the master detective Holmes , Saradindu Bandhyopadhyay weaves the stories in a stylish way. Byomkesh Bakshi , like Holmes has peculiar tastes. He's pretty much into tea , and smokes quiet often. A sucker for mysteries , Mr Bakshi never hesitates to step into any quagmire.
The collection includes three stories and each one of them is written in a lucid manner.
Started with Satyanweshi in 1931, Bakshi has always attracted the readers in and out India. One similarity that Bakshi has with Holmes is the way of narration : that is , interpretation of the events at the end of the story , which might seem spoon-feeding to the modern reader now.
Yet Mr Bakshi never hesitates to amaze the reader through his deductive reasoning.
A real page turner indeed.
The collection includes three stories and each one of them is written in a lucid manner.
Started with Satyanweshi in 1931, Bakshi has always attracted the readers in and out India. One similarity that Bakshi has with Holmes is the way of narration : that is , interpretation of the events at the end of the story , which might seem spoon-feeding to the modern reader now.
Yet Mr Bakshi never hesitates to amaze the reader through his deductive reasoning.
A real page turner indeed.
November 18, 2019
Sometimes it's so difficult to write a review. The story is so engrossing that you are just lost in it without any other peripheral thoughts. You tend to not look for patterns or observe any follies. This book has been one of those kinds. Just open it, read it, and enjoy it. The translation is very smooth.
Given all my praise you might wonder why only 4 stars, that's because in the first story there's a back story that's not told to readers and even in second story a small detail that reader doesn't know till the end. But still these are minor details and this is a proper detective / mystery books. These stories are not like the ones that sustain mystery just by overusing pronouns and ending chapters abruptly, along the lines of The girl on train by Paula Hawkins. These are good proper crime mystery novels. I've become a fan of the Author.
A must read.
Given all my praise you might wonder why only 4 stars, that's because in the first story there's a back story that's not told to readers and even in second story a small detail that reader doesn't know till the end. But still these are minor details and this is a proper detective / mystery books. These stories are not like the ones that sustain mystery just by overusing pronouns and ending chapters abruptly, along the lines of The girl on train by Paula Hawkins. These are good proper crime mystery novels. I've become a fan of the Author.
A must read.
January 10, 2023
As per my point of view, this is not suitable for kids given the nature of stories and a little graphic description in The death of Amrito.
Contains 3 stories:
1. The rhythm of riddles- Simple and straight forward story line. No suspense and build up with limited characters.
2. Byomkesh and Boroda- Byomkesh is the star of the story as there were 2 main characters from Sharadindu's world. Get to experience push and pull between natural and supernatural world as one is seeker of the truth and the other is seeker of unseen.
3. The death of Amrito- Depicts Byomkesh's satyanweshi skills. Tale starts from a local village boy's murder to catching the baddy behind black marketeering ring. Exciting and gripping.
Contains 3 stories:
1. The rhythm of riddles- Simple and straight forward story line. No suspense and build up with limited characters.
2. Byomkesh and Boroda- Byomkesh is the star of the story as there were 2 main characters from Sharadindu's world. Get to experience push and pull between natural and supernatural world as one is seeker of the truth and the other is seeker of unseen.
3. The death of Amrito- Depicts Byomkesh's satyanweshi skills. Tale starts from a local village boy's murder to catching the baddy behind black marketeering ring. Exciting and gripping.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2020
Ahhhhh being a bengali reader it’s by birth i am big fan of Byomkesh Bakshi. I have read his books in bengali version too. This time i tried in English translation. There are three different stories and each story contains a new thrill with full of suspense. The 3rd story “The Death of Amrito”, i have watched the movie and honestly the amount of Byomkesh movies i have seen, i was imagining Abir as Byomkesh everytime. Haha. Funny. If you are Feluda fan then I don’t need to introduce to you who is Byomkesh. Loved the translation. Learned so many new words from the translator Arunava Sinha. I have read his translated books before, undoubtedly he is a great translator. Good one. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
June 26, 2020
3.75/5
The stories were great. The second story, Byomkesh and the Barada was aired on doordarshan, and I remember watching it as a child. I think that is my earliest memory of being scared by something on TV that stayed with me.
The translation, though, has simplified things to the extent of it feeling very out of touch with the stories. It's weird to read a 1940s novel with 2010s English.
If anyone here has recommendations of other/better bengali popular fiction translations, I'd appreciate that very much.
The stories were great. The second story, Byomkesh and the Barada was aired on doordarshan, and I remember watching it as a child. I think that is my earliest memory of being scared by something on TV that stayed with me.
The translation, though, has simplified things to the extent of it feeling very out of touch with the stories. It's weird to read a 1940s novel with 2010s English.
If anyone here has recommendations of other/better bengali popular fiction translations, I'd appreciate that very much.
December 29, 2021
The stories are easy to read and understand. The mysteries are not too complicated: I was able to guess rightly for two of the three stories.
The only gripe I had was that there were zero women characters; it was as if there were only men in the world. I get that in the 1930s, women in India did not have as much freedom as men did, but I somehow got a vibe that women were rightly relegated to household tasks from a few statements made by the characters.
The only gripe I had was that there were zero women characters; it was as if there were only men in the world. I get that in the 1930s, women in India did not have as much freedom as men did, but I somehow got a vibe that women were rightly relegated to household tasks from a few statements made by the characters.
November 9, 2025
Three stories, first time translated into English from Bengali.
Byomkesh Bakshi was the Bengali Sherlock Holmes -- like Holmes stories, some are mysteries, some aren't real mysteries. Some reader can't solve them with clues (like the third one). First two in the collection are mostly solvable (and you don't need to be a genius to solve them)
First one was fine -- too short to develop anything; second one was the best one.
Short enough that I finished in 1 day.
Byomkesh Bakshi was the Bengali Sherlock Holmes -- like Holmes stories, some are mysteries, some aren't real mysteries. Some reader can't solve them with clues (like the third one). First two in the collection are mostly solvable (and you don't need to be a genius to solve them)
First one was fine -- too short to develop anything; second one was the best one.
Short enough that I finished in 1 day.
October 25, 2021
Stories that are getting to about 80 years old still feel fresh, and credit to the assured translation by Arunava Sinha, who has clarified that his translation is adapted to modern times. The stories themselves are quirky and nothing like anything we read these days. Byomkesh remains the most cerebral and confident detective in all of Bengali fiction.
January 10, 2022
I don't understand why this appears under the Puffin imprint; I do not regard it as being a book suitable for children. Byomkesh Bakshi is a detective in the mould of Father Brown or Miss Marple with his understated demeanour whilst his faithful chronicler Ajit is an Indian Dr Watson. I can well understand why the Bakshi character has enjoyed enduring popularity in books, film and television.
January 29, 2022
My six-word memoir: Fun, indigenous, ample number of clues.
What fun I had reading these stories! The language was simple and I could see that it was translated. I had fun trying to piece together the clues and puzzles. Out of all the three stories my favorite was 'The Death of Amrito'. The Indian version of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
What fun I had reading these stories! The language was simple and I could see that it was translated. I had fun trying to piece together the clues and puzzles. Out of all the three stories my favorite was 'The Death of Amrito'. The Indian version of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
December 17, 2018
Relatively interesting, but more as a time-pass reading that fascinating in their own right. Good light reading though.
June 17, 2018
Great entertainment. Well translated by Arunava Sinha.
September 2, 2018
Good translation - enjoyed reading the stories now in English.
May 5, 2021
Good reading.
Wonderful narrative. Vintage style. Simple plots. 0ld time Calcutta and rural hinter lands as credible back drops. Enjoyed reading quick time.
Wonderful narrative. Vintage style. Simple plots. 0ld time Calcutta and rural hinter lands as credible back drops. Enjoyed reading quick time.
March 29, 2022
Great detective stories set in Bengal, India.
May 6, 2023
The first story is average. Good second and third stories.
January 22, 2024
These crime stories are very enjoyable to read. The author is a master of story-telling.
February 6, 2017
Once a classic always a classic...
September 5, 2016
Three Byomkesh stories:
1. The Rhythm of Riddles: A man dies in building Byomkesh lives while he is away. where is the murderer in the brown shawl whom people saw? Two people, including Ajit, were wearing brown shawl at the time of murder.
2. Byomkesh and Barada: There's a murder conducted inside a fort. Thereafter, the house in fort is considered to be haunted. There have been multiple ghost sightings that even skeptics are believing it. Is there really a ghost? (Personally I wasn't satisfied with solution as it has loopholes. That sort of thing is hard to escape people's notice)
3. The death of Amrito: Two people are murdered in nearby village where Byomkesh is there on government's behalf to find illegal arms. However, local police, instead of helping, is putting obstacles in his way. Will he succeed in catching these illegal arms dealers and solve these murders?
1. The Rhythm of Riddles: A man dies in building Byomkesh lives while he is away. where is the murderer in the brown shawl whom people saw? Two people, including Ajit, were wearing brown shawl at the time of murder.
2. Byomkesh and Barada: There's a murder conducted inside a fort. Thereafter, the house in fort is considered to be haunted. There have been multiple ghost sightings that even skeptics are believing it. Is there really a ghost? (Personally I wasn't satisfied with solution as it has loopholes. That sort of thing is hard to escape people's notice)
3. The death of Amrito: Two people are murdered in nearby village where Byomkesh is there on government's behalf to find illegal arms. However, local police, instead of helping, is putting obstacles in his way. Will he succeed in catching these illegal arms dealers and solve these murders?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews