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The Other Side
"A slow rasping sound made me turn. I jumped back, the cell phone leaving my hands and smashing against the concrete floor. Someone was seated on the chair, rocking back and forth. Through the fallen light, I could see those hands placed on the arms of the chair, two gruesome wrinkled limbs with ugly boils plastered over the black skin. The red bangles on its wrists shone in my eyes, momentarily blinding me. That thing and I call it a thing because I could sense it wasn't human as no human could have such a hideous form, as vile an existence as the one seated opposite to my horrified self."
From a honeymoon in the hill that goes horribly wrong to an obsessed lover who wants his first love in life and in death; From a mentally deranged man who collects body parts of various women to stitch together his dream girl to a skeptic who enters a mansion of horrors to win a bet and much more, this book is filled with scenarios that are guaranteed to give you goosebumps and sleepless nights.
'The Other Side' is a collection of thirteen tales of the paranormal; a world that our eyes refuse to see, our ears deny hearing and our senses ignore the feel of. This is a book for someone who is brave enough to take up this invitation to journey through uncharted waters along with the authors, who were inspired by some bizarre experiences to pen down this work where the lines of reality have been blurred by the footsteps of imagination.
Each story takes you on a tour de force of unadulterated horror and draws upon the deepest fear in the human mind- the fear of the UNKNOWN!
From a honeymoon in the hill that goes horribly wrong to an obsessed lover who wants his first love in life and in death; From a mentally deranged man who collects body parts of various women to stitch together his dream girl to a skeptic who enters a mansion of horrors to win a bet and much more, this book is filled with scenarios that are guaranteed to give you goosebumps and sleepless nights.
'The Other Side' is a collection of thirteen tales of the paranormal; a world that our eyes refuse to see, our ears deny hearing and our senses ignore the feel of. This is a book for someone who is brave enough to take up this invitation to journey through uncharted waters along with the authors, who were inspired by some bizarre experiences to pen down this work where the lines of reality have been blurred by the footsteps of imagination.
Each story takes you on a tour de force of unadulterated horror and draws upon the deepest fear in the human mind- the fear of the UNKNOWN!
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
20 people are currently reading
1536 people want to read
About the author
Faraaz Kazi
6 books220 followers"My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water"- Mark Twain.
The winner of the 2013 National Debut Youth Fiction Award and also the recipient of the YCOF National Excellence award in Creative Writing apart from being the first Indian author to win the coveted ‘Best Debut (Romance)’ title at the international Goodreads choice awards, Faraaz Kazi has been tagged as the 'Nicholas Sparks of India’ by many and is rated amongst the top male romance writers in the country.
Kazi is known for his exploits in the digital marketing world and currently heads an agency in Mumbai. Felicitated by numerous institutes, bodies and organizations alike, Kazi is a well-known name in the social media and literary fraternity. He is fondly referred to as 'The Young Marketer' and operates a revolutionary blog with the same name.
Kazi is a fellow member of the esteemed 'Film Writers Association of India.' Truly Madly Deeply, his debut mainstream romance novel is the only Indian book to have seven category nominations in the Goodreads annual readers' choice awards and is also the only Indian book in the 'Top 100 YA Global Fiction' list. Kazi is a voracious reader and counts singing as his second love.
You can connect with him here- http://www.facebook.com/FaruKazi
You can interact with him here- http://www.twitter.com/FaruKazi
Or here- http://www.instagram.com/farukazi
The winner of the 2013 National Debut Youth Fiction Award and also the recipient of the YCOF National Excellence award in Creative Writing apart from being the first Indian author to win the coveted ‘Best Debut (Romance)’ title at the international Goodreads choice awards, Faraaz Kazi has been tagged as the 'Nicholas Sparks of India’ by many and is rated amongst the top male romance writers in the country.
Kazi is known for his exploits in the digital marketing world and currently heads an agency in Mumbai. Felicitated by numerous institutes, bodies and organizations alike, Kazi is a well-known name in the social media and literary fraternity. He is fondly referred to as 'The Young Marketer' and operates a revolutionary blog with the same name.
Kazi is a fellow member of the esteemed 'Film Writers Association of India.' Truly Madly Deeply, his debut mainstream romance novel is the only Indian book to have seven category nominations in the Goodreads annual readers' choice awards and is also the only Indian book in the 'Top 100 YA Global Fiction' list. Kazi is a voracious reader and counts singing as his second love.
You can connect with him here- http://www.facebook.com/FaruKazi
You can interact with him here- http://www.twitter.com/FaruKazi
Or here- http://www.instagram.com/farukazi
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 3, 2014
That's me convincing myself while reading this book!
This has to be the most happening book of 2013! It lives up to all the hype it has created in the market right from a couple of months before the release- world's first animated cover, high def 3D trailer, book marketing in retail chains, showcase of the trailer in cinema halls and a wonderfully well digital campaign. The book starts with a bang with FK's chilling foreword and the authors' exchange in the prelude. The illustrations in this book are simply breath-taking and capture the stories pretty well. I kept going further and further into the book, I had the distinct impression that I'm going backward in all the self-confidence I had garnered before picking up this book, hoping I won't be in the least bit frightened as I had coursed through all of Stroker and Stephen King long back. As this book has 13 stories in one (not counting the breath robbing fast paced foreword by FK and the innovative prologue/epilogue), I feel like I need to rate them all separately:
UNFULFILLED DESIRES ― 3.5 stars. It's about a doctor who is transferred to a rural area to handle a public health centre which is said to be haunted by the ghost of a girl who committed suicide there. Initially I thought it was too long, but once I got reading I thought it was just about ok. I wanted a little more closure and didn’t understand the doctor Rajiv's attraction to Poonam (I thought she needed more depth, or at the very least, a better description) but otherwise enjoyed it. What happened in the PHC cemented the story as memorable in my mind. Scary stuff.
POSSESSION ― 5 stars. A classic horror story of a girl getting possessed by an evil spirit when her family shifts to a house in the hills. Again long story but this time I was left wanting for more and gasping for breath.
THE MARK OF THE BEAST ― 5 stars. A story of a newly married couple who go on a trek in some forsaken rural area which is rumoured to be visited by a half bear-half man. I have found those sightings of the yeti scary for years, but this is the first I’ve heard of a horror story on it. I did enjoy the climax about the curse and the couple.
THE MUSE COMES CALLING ― 4 stars. A very innovative story of what happens if a writer's characters start coming to life in front of him. The ending wasn’t where I thought it was going. Having written that, I’ve no idea where else it could have gone, but I just thought I’d put that out there.
THE MYSTERY LAKE― 5 stars. A story about a school boy who is haunted by dreams of a mystery lake, the answers to which lie in his past life. This one I loved. I loved the format of past life connection and karma. I loved the story, I loved the ending. It is one of those perfect short stories that just needs to be cuddled and loved.
RED BANGLES― 5 stars. One of the scariest of the lot, sp. towards the end. A story of a disturbed hurt lover who is obsessed with a girl since his school days. I liked it. The underlying horror and future possibilities of the two people, combining them seems a pretty natural idea.
A MOTHER'S LOVE ― 3.5 stars. Not scary. This is a story about a Tamil housewife who can't bear children and then she encounters the ghost of an English child in her recently shifted bungalow. Some of the happenings totally slid past me. I understood what was going on and felt the character’s helplessness, but didn’t really understand the significance of things.
THAT FATEFUL NIGHT― 5 stars. Wow, this story was fabulous. It talks about a couple who land up at a haunted haveli in the middle of the night. The twist at the end, even though I knew it was coming, gave me goosebumps.
STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT ―4.5 stars. Was enormously surprised on the ending. It did have an interesting concept about not offering lift to strangers, sp. girls who come out of cemeteries in the middle of the night.
THE LONG WEEKEND― 5 stars. Again one of the best of the lot. A story about a married couple again who take off to a short vacation to relive their days of yore at a hill station and land up at a deserted guesthouse. No, it's not a haunted house story. The twist again is breath-taking. Really enjoyed. Superb vocabulary used throughout story.
THE MAN WHO DID NOT FEAR― 4.5 stars. Nirbhay Kumar (I got the reference for the fearless Bollywood star hinting that everyone is afraid) comes out as my best character form the book. A classical 'do it if you dare' story where Nirbhay agrees to spend a night in 'moonlight mansion' for money and the events of the night bring a sad end to the story.
THE LADY IN THE PUB ― 5 stars. When you get past the first two pages, this story gets sizzling on paper. It is told in first person pov through Salim who meets a mysterious girl in the city's most happening pub and then drops her home. Next day he comes to know that he was never at the pub. Very intense plot, will make for a wonderful movie.
DREAM GIRL― 4.5 stars. Wow! This has to be the creepiest story of the lot where a serial killer to fulfil his egoistic hustle kills women who catch his fancy and takes their body parts. This one I didn’t like that much at first, but when I stepped away from it and thought about it some more, I started to… well, I still don’t like it, but I like it more. Does that make sense? The bit about cutting women's body parts really scared me. I don't think I can ever walk on lonely roads again.
So there you have it. A review of the most chilling anthology I have come across. The authors seem to wait for the reader to think something and almost immediately slap the idea out from their head. And that is perhaps scarier than the setting and the plots of the stories. It will make you feel like you had your money’s worth with the paperback retailing for a mere 150 bucks and the e-book for less than a dollar on Amazon. So a word of advise for you- travel light and expect delight for I'm sure this is a book that has something in it for everyone. But beware don't get too adventurous because this book's 'Dare to visit alone?' warning is hard to ignore or else most of you would be sitting like me crunched up in bed, unable to sleep, jumping at all the little noises with your bro's cricket bat in hand as scenes from the last story and the epilogue stick in your quicksand of a mind.
December 10, 2013
Was feeling scared to pen down a review fearing that the little girl from Possession would come to get me if I wrote anything bad about her! But that fear has abated somewhat from last night after I finished this book under my quilt and just as I did something banged against the window and I was too scared to get up and see what it was!
Don't know if it is some secret plot of scaring the readers of this book but I was too creeped out anyway. All the stories are brilliantly written. Kazi is going to be the next King ( 'Stephen King').
Don't know if it is some secret plot of scaring the readers of this book but I was too creeped out anyway. All the stories are brilliantly written. Kazi is going to be the next King ( 'Stephen King').
December 10, 2013
Loved the book totally. It's a total paisa-vasool entertainment kind of a work. Much better than watching any cheap bollywood horror movie made by ram gopal varma and mahesh bhatt. The scenes of this book play in my head still and it's not that easy to kick them out. I believe that's an achievement for the writers because I move in and out of books very quickly. One of the better books I've read in a long time.
November 22, 2013
Super effort from Faraaz and Vivek. I especially found the stories in the latter half of the book really good. I especially loved "Strangers in the Night" for the way it is written, keep the suspense intact and making the reader believe something about the girl which turns out to be false when the twist in the end happens. This is great storytelling at its finest display. All the stories starting from "The Mark of the Beast" onwards till the end are really good. The best and most innovative thing I found in this book is the prelude and epilogue...where the authors themselves becomes characters.
December 18, 2013
*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of The Other Side from author Faraaz Kazi in exchange for an honest review. We thank Faraaz for the book!
Except for one single ghost story series and a few short stories here and there, I hadn't ever read any horror stories and I was never quite inclined on trying out the genre either. But then I had the awesome opportunity to host a blog tour for Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee's horror stories collection, The Other Side.
I do like to believe that where is there is normal, there is paranormal and where there is natural, there exists the supernatural. In spite of my initial apprehensions about feeling scared (which I hate to admit) and not being able to devour the book as much as a horror fan probably would, I am proud to say that I thoroughly enjoyed The Other Side.
Before I begin writing about the stories in general, I have to say that The Other Side has the most bone chilling and frightening foreword I've ever read. It actually made me look here and there to make sure no unusual activity was going on around me. From then on, I knew it would be best to read the book in broad daylight and that's what I did.
The stories weren't exactly scary or frightening but they were pretty creepy and they gave me goosebumps. They all had more of a redemptional and karmic than a nightmarish aspect to them. Just when it seemed like the usual haunted house, a woman in white and people of science or non-believers theme started recurring, something different would be thrown in the next story. Some stories were disgusting, some horrifying while some others were just quite normal in the sense that they didn't scare me at all. What I liked most was how spirits were shown as both good and bad and the whole what goes around comes around dictum was subtly portrayed through that.
Most of the times, I felt like the stories were actually very similar to supernatural incidents I've previously heard from my elders and various members of the family. In the Indian context, these are stories we've all grown up on and The Other Side made me look beyond and dig a bit more in the unknown. When it comes to short story collections, there's no such thing as the best or the worst story, but my most favourite ones were The Lady In The Pub and A Mother's Love.
Being short stories, the book is very easy to read and the writing is quite undemanding and user friendly which makes it an easy read. The Other Side promised to be a one of it's kind read on the Indian commercial horror scene and because I have nothing to compare it to, for me, the book delivered the promise it made, which is always a good thing. If I were to describe it in one word, it was creeptastic.
Except for one single ghost story series and a few short stories here and there, I hadn't ever read any horror stories and I was never quite inclined on trying out the genre either. But then I had the awesome opportunity to host a blog tour for Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee's horror stories collection, The Other Side.
I do like to believe that where is there is normal, there is paranormal and where there is natural, there exists the supernatural. In spite of my initial apprehensions about feeling scared (which I hate to admit) and not being able to devour the book as much as a horror fan probably would, I am proud to say that I thoroughly enjoyed The Other Side.
Before I begin writing about the stories in general, I have to say that The Other Side has the most bone chilling and frightening foreword I've ever read. It actually made me look here and there to make sure no unusual activity was going on around me. From then on, I knew it would be best to read the book in broad daylight and that's what I did.
The stories weren't exactly scary or frightening but they were pretty creepy and they gave me goosebumps. They all had more of a redemptional and karmic than a nightmarish aspect to them. Just when it seemed like the usual haunted house, a woman in white and people of science or non-believers theme started recurring, something different would be thrown in the next story. Some stories were disgusting, some horrifying while some others were just quite normal in the sense that they didn't scare me at all. What I liked most was how spirits were shown as both good and bad and the whole what goes around comes around dictum was subtly portrayed through that.
Most of the times, I felt like the stories were actually very similar to supernatural incidents I've previously heard from my elders and various members of the family. In the Indian context, these are stories we've all grown up on and The Other Side made me look beyond and dig a bit more in the unknown. When it comes to short story collections, there's no such thing as the best or the worst story, but my most favourite ones were The Lady In The Pub and A Mother's Love.
Being short stories, the book is very easy to read and the writing is quite undemanding and user friendly which makes it an easy read. The Other Side promised to be a one of it's kind read on the Indian commercial horror scene and because I have nothing to compare it to, for me, the book delivered the promise it made, which is always a good thing. If I were to describe it in one word, it was creeptastic.
September 25, 2018
I am glad to see Indian writers venturing into the horror/supernatural themes, a genre which I believe has a vast plethora of unexplored stories to be tapped.
I got an author’s signed copy of this book. The tales are creepy but leave you with a feeling of déjà vu. The end becomes evident right from the first pages itself as most of these stories are part of the urban legend prevalent in India. Some of them did have a surprise ending though.
I would have rated this collection as 3.5 but since GR doesn’t have provision for half stars I will settle for 3 which in GR’s parlance means “liked it”
I got an author’s signed copy of this book. The tales are creepy but leave you with a feeling of déjà vu. The end becomes evident right from the first pages itself as most of these stories are part of the urban legend prevalent in India. Some of them did have a surprise ending though.
I would have rated this collection as 3.5 but since GR doesn’t have provision for half stars I will settle for 3 which in GR’s parlance means “liked it”
December 24, 2013
Story 1: That Fateful Night
3/5
Arresting narration, brilliant use of language, but the end, despite being absorbing, is predictable. ‘That fateful night’ is the story of a doctor and his fateful visit to a fateful old couple on a fateful night in a fatefully dilapidated ‘haveli’ under fateful circumstances and with some inexplicably fateful consequences to it.
Story 2: The Long Weekend
3.5/5
‘The long weekend’ tells the story of Sachin, Shikha and a vacation they took immediately after a séance attended by Shikha at her neighborhood.
The first half of the story is intensely gripping, what with the game of planchette offering some genuine ‘goosebump’ moments. The intensity wanes a bit in the second half, though the story-telling is absorbing throughout the 20-odd pages down to its surprising, though a tad dissonant, ending.
Story 3: The Man who did not fear
2/5
‘The man who did not fear’ started with a lot of promise but fizzled out soon. The story is not gripping and the lethargic pace makes it a laborious read. Writing seems so amateurish at places that one may be tempted to think that this story has been written by someone other than the author of the previous two tales.
The setting and the plot are unoriginal, but the major disappointment is the unconvincing and, often, enforced behavior of the main protagonist Nirbhay who spends a night in an abandoned mansion after a wager with his friends.
Story 4: Strangers in the Night
3/5
Good, gripping, romantic, erotic, titillating and scary. The anti-climax is interesting but a shrewd reader will see it coming.
here is a crisp review of each of the 13 stories.
Story 5: The muse comes calling
4/5
Fresh and ingenious plot. How would you feel if you are a writer and your characters come alive one day to do to you what you did to them?
Story 6: The Lady in the Pub
3/5
An okay-ish story with a trite plot and decent narration. The twist in the end is a winner though.
Story 7: A mother’s love
3.5/5
Though the plot seems heavily inspired from the usual horror TV shows, the story is, nevertheless, very arresting and keeps you turning the pages till the end suddenly arrives and interrupts your reveries.
Story 8: Red Bangles
4.5/5
Told from the perspective of a psycho lover, ‘Red Bangles’ is romance, fear and sex in their most unadulterated and maniacal form. Ever heard of a man making love with a corpse? Plus, an Edgar Allan Poe-esque narration adds to the spook and mystery.
To read the full review,
kindly go to 'the other side' of my profile
at http://thirstydesires.blogspot.in/201...
December 24, 2013
I love horror anthologies, and I can honestly say I have never read one where I enjoyed every single story. There always tends to be one or two duds inside a collection, isn't it? With The Other Side, this just wasn't the case! It's full of everything readers of the macabre want: revenge, necrophilia, haunting dreams, spirits, deadly bets, graveyards, sceptic doctors, serial killers, wraiths, obsession and madness, even mildly erotic at times. In other words, fun for the whole breed of readers!
I started to list my favourite stories and realised it is unfair to do so as each story had something or the other in it that appealed to me. There were even a few stories that stuck with me for days after reading, especially 'That Fateful Night', 'Red bangles' and of course, the scariest of the lot 'Possession'.
Here are three steps you should follow:
Buy it--> Read it--> Get creeped out!
I started to list my favourite stories and realised it is unfair to do so as each story had something or the other in it that appealed to me. There were even a few stories that stuck with me for days after reading, especially 'That Fateful Night', 'Red bangles' and of course, the scariest of the lot 'Possession'.
Here are three steps you should follow:
Buy it--> Read it--> Get creeped out!
September 22, 2015
Strictly average at best. The stories that were not copies of Hollywood horror flicks were usually dull and boring.
January 7, 2014
Book: The Other Side
Author: Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee
Publisher: Mahaveer Publishers (Vaibhav Book Service)
Genre : Thriller
Ratings: 4.5/5
ISBN: 9350880768
Number of Pages: 320
Review Date: 7th January 2014
Review on behalf of - ReadersCosmos
My Ratings:
Plot – 5/5
Characters – 5/5
Style- 4/5
Climax – 4/5
Cover Page – 3/5
My Review:
This book has portrayed tremendous illustration effort put by both the authors. The combination of the 2 writers has left no stones unturned to make the content so well defined. The anthology consisting of 13 stories by the 2 authors has most of the stories good and a few very good.
The stories are crisp and have its eerie feel now and then. The surrounding of suspense and a scary feel about what is going to happen next has been created in several places across the book in most of the stories. The balance in the stories is amazing. Never in the book would a reader find a climax high or an interest dip. Across the reading, the tempo of the plot has been managed and scripted in a clear and harmony. The best among the lot are definitely “Possession”, “Red Bangles”, and “Dream Girl”. The 2nds in the lot are “A Long Weekend”, “Stranger in the Night” and the “Fateful Night”. This has been an interesting read of this Genre for sure.
The quotation here and there, the pictures and the approach to decorate the stories have been amazing. Just like Indian director mostly fail to create a scary movie, so do most authors. However, this book is one of the best works and really gives a feel of the surrounding. Complete justice done and a great work indeed.
December 31, 2013
The Other Side, thirteen stories, thirteen kind of fears, a life on the other side that has always been under scrutiny, never believed under white light of sun. But, this book made me believe in all those fears and that obscure life even while I read it in daylight.
Going by the big names, Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee, I was particularly sure about the quality that I was banking on, but what caught me unaware was the amount of fear it tugged and steered, plunging into the deep corners of long forgotten fears that I used to feel while listening to those unsaid and never believed stories of my Nan…
As I started with the forewords, as Faraaz had said, look behind if someone is staring into the book from above your shoulders, well, I did the same, much childishly. Not to mention, I was afraid. Then the prologue and the advent of adventures and fear made me switch on the brightest light in my room and occasionally peek here and there.
By the end of the book, I was already hearing voices and catching some peripheral shadows, not sure if they even existed.
I’d mark it as a must read for all those who don’t believe in the word ‘Fear’ and also for those who have had many months or years of not checking and rechecking under their bed and behind closed doors and curtains. The Other Side exists for sure. I believe.
Going by the big names, Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee, I was particularly sure about the quality that I was banking on, but what caught me unaware was the amount of fear it tugged and steered, plunging into the deep corners of long forgotten fears that I used to feel while listening to those unsaid and never believed stories of my Nan…
As I started with the forewords, as Faraaz had said, look behind if someone is staring into the book from above your shoulders, well, I did the same, much childishly. Not to mention, I was afraid. Then the prologue and the advent of adventures and fear made me switch on the brightest light in my room and occasionally peek here and there.
By the end of the book, I was already hearing voices and catching some peripheral shadows, not sure if they even existed.
I’d mark it as a must read for all those who don’t believe in the word ‘Fear’ and also for those who have had many months or years of not checking and rechecking under their bed and behind closed doors and curtains. The Other Side exists for sure. I believe.
December 20, 2013
You will read about this book and they will tell you that it is collection of 13 short stories … they almost lie. There is actually more. The foreword is an essay on Fear while the prelude chapter has a couple of horror stories dropped in simply as a warm up exercise before you begin the workout with the 13 horror stories. And then there is an Epilogue which is a horror story in itself. You actually get more than you bargained for.
The book is a mix of ordinary and extra-ordinary, spooky as well as entertaining, expected as well as unexpected stories. There were times when I felt that a particular story had nothing new (it was simply a horror story we have read and seen a hundred times) while there were times when the climax was near brilliant ... or more specifically unexpected.
I enjoyed reading the horror stories and before I forget, the simple illustrations in each story added to the spook factor. Sadly, I could not locate the name of the illustrator in the book.
The book is a mix of ordinary and extra-ordinary, spooky as well as entertaining, expected as well as unexpected stories. There were times when I felt that a particular story had nothing new (it was simply a horror story we have read and seen a hundred times) while there were times when the climax was near brilliant ... or more specifically unexpected.
I enjoyed reading the horror stories and before I forget, the simple illustrations in each story added to the spook factor. Sadly, I could not locate the name of the illustrator in the book.
November 23, 2013
its a overall a horror read many stories where intresting and 2 strories wasnt able to match others. the stories are so good you can imagine dem playing in front of your eyes. my favourite ones are the long weekend , the lady in the pub possesion and unfullfilled desires are the best horror suspense .
January 12, 2014
Bombarded with all five-star rating, I daresay, this does not deserve all the high-five. The narration is excellent, however the stories at times were quite predictable and I often did not find the climax appealing. Everything but the plots! I would have liked to see them better except a few ones.
March 16, 2014
A bad one. Don't read it, seriously!
January 11, 2014
Here is a suggestion – don’t skip any part of this book, and by that I mean you got to read the ‘Dedicated To’, Foreword, ‘Table of Contents’, Prelude, and Epilogue sections, along with the thirteen stories of course, ‘cause each of the above serves to heighten the chilling sensation that you can associate this book, 'The Other Side', with. Not a single page should be left unread.
Talking of page, why not begin with the cover? And God, you need to look at it to believe me, this cover radiates brilliance. Absolutely adhering to the theme of paranormal and horror, the cover will really set your mood for the night, depicting those eyes in red that ask in a sinister manner, “Dare To Visit Alone?” and you can hear a strange guffaw, mystical and haunting, somewhere in the background.
Oh stop it, ‘tis all in the head? Or is it?
The Foreword is nicely sketched, and provides a clean insight into what this book is all about. The words are coherent and clear, and you know what the two talented authors are up to. There is no denying the fact that a lot of time and effort have been spent to produce the thirteen stories that form this book, and add to it a brilliant Foreword, you know, this night is surely gonna run long.
But wait, the stories don’t start yet. Right after the Foreword, you have the Prelude, where the two characters are our very own, Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee, discussing horror experiences, and finally settle down on a mutual agreement of penning down stories together, and am glad they did. Having read them before, I had high expectations from them, and true to my belief, they didn't disappoint.
The positives are many, and that’s always a good thing for the readers, isn't it? The horror genre isn't an easy one to write, as the genre itself depends on sound and sight to evoke the feel, while an author’s job is cut out in this respect as he doesn't have the luxury of either. However, full marks to Vivek and Faraaz for not letting this to be a hindrance. Most of the stories are well suited to the theme, and the unique plots for all ensure that your interest is kept alive right throughout the book.
The book takes on a rollicking start with ‘That Fateful Night’ as the first story. It’s satisfying and makes you crave for more. Does ‘The Long Weekend’ satiate your thirst? Nay, instead it augments it, and you are now comfortably snuggled in your blanket, starting to read the third one. But wait, who was that standing behind the door?
No one. Don’t worry. Ghosts are not real. You turn to the third tale.
‘The Man Who Did Not Fear’ is a story where the protagonist attempts to dare a haunt, and haven’t we all tried that in some point of our lives, accepting the challenges from our friends to pay a visit and spend time in a scary circumstance? Well, I have, and I could relate perfectly with this story. However, the fourth story, ‘Strangers In The Night’ turns out to be a dampener for me. I didn't like how it ended, and was expecting something better out of it.
Never mind. I turned towards the fifth story when a sudden gust of cold wind made me turn towards the window. Heck, it was closed. Where did the breeze come from? Was my heart thumping? Come on, this is the twenty-first century, don’t think crazily, I convinced myself, and started reading ‘The Muse Comes Calling.’ This is another story that I didn't like much. I mean the narration is swift, the plot unique, but again, I didn't like the way it concluded. Could there have been a better ending? May be yes, may be no. Perhaps, I felt it too unrealistic to be true, but then again, that’s the way I thought. You, and others, though, might enjoy this story to the fullest, depending on how you perceive and expect events to happen.
But yes, ‘The Muse Comes Calling’ has one of the best plots I have EVER come across. My only complaint – the ending.
‘The Lady In The Pub’, and wow, what can I say. I loved it as most of the other stories before, and as the rest that will follow. It’s a sweet tale of losing one’s love, and how it haunts forever. Talking of love, what can be more precious than ‘A Mother’s Love’, and the two authors beautifully highlight that fact with a pinch of emotion in this otherwise paranormal story.
‘Red Bangles’ is scary, but of course, that’s what this book is meant to be, but by scary I mean SCARY. The narration highlighting the villainous intent of the protagonist is polished, and you can read his mind and loathe him for his actions, but the image of the red bangles never leave you.
Wait, did I hear the tinkling of bangles? Man, now this is turning out to be eerie. I got up from my bed, and turned on the lights of the other rooms as well. ‘Let there be light’ – I thought, and philosophized, and came back under my blanket.
‘The Mark of the Beast’ – beware of the beast, it will rescue you, but then, you wouldn't like to be rescued. What happens when you start feeling that death would have been preferable? Such a condition would truly be depressing, and this story revolves around this subject in an apt fashion. ‘The Mystery Lake’ starts mysteriously, and I loved how the authors juggled two plots and conjoined them to form one brilliant piece. It has the element of adventure in it, and keeps your pulses racing. However, nothing can prepare you for ‘Possession’, and let me warn you here. Do not expect anything out of this story, ‘cause what you think won’t happen. The authors take this story to a completely different dimension, with twists and turns you fail to fathom, and once you are done with it, you yell in delight – “Wow, now this was something.”
‘Unfulfilled Desires’ as the name suggests, revolve around, well, unfulfilled desires, about love and happiness, replaced with hatred and betrayal. This story is located across several towns and cities, and the beautiful description of the locales makes you believe that you are travelling two with the protagonist.
‘Dreamgirl’ the 13th story, is as chilling as the supposedly doomed number itself. This is a perfect conclusion to the collection, and certain parts in the narration will certainly make you shiver, as I am shivering now.
I woke up with a start. When did I fall asleep? I know not. When did I pen down the review? No idea. All I could remember was, what? My mind suddenly seemed numb, and as I looked around, I found ‘The Other Side’ staring creepily at me, those red eyes, oops, did they blink? I felt so.
And then it all came back. I was so engrossed in reading and writing the review last night that I had lost track of the time, and soon after I was done with the book, my mind programmed me to sleep. The sun had risen across the cool winter morning, and I made myself a cup of tea.
Now, coming to the part I didn't like. Several stories in the book have the element of physical intimacy, which is fine, as that’s what the plots demanded. However, I felt that those could have been written in a manner that would be more subtle and aesthetic, targeting not the actual happenings and details of the sexual encounters in a physical manner, but rather, should have focused on the sensory perception, making the entire story all the more fascinating and literary satisfying. This is something I will definitely expect from both the authors in the near future.
Time to conclude the review with the three favorites of mine, and they turn out to be:
Possession,
The Long Weekend,
The Lady In the Pub.
I look at my watch, and I freeze. The hands are stuck at exactly 12. I hear a muffled cry, and I look at the book cover. The eyes grow in shape, and a deep raspy voice echoes in my room – “The Other Side … Dare To Visit Alone.”
Talking of page, why not begin with the cover? And God, you need to look at it to believe me, this cover radiates brilliance. Absolutely adhering to the theme of paranormal and horror, the cover will really set your mood for the night, depicting those eyes in red that ask in a sinister manner, “Dare To Visit Alone?” and you can hear a strange guffaw, mystical and haunting, somewhere in the background.
Oh stop it, ‘tis all in the head? Or is it?
The Foreword is nicely sketched, and provides a clean insight into what this book is all about. The words are coherent and clear, and you know what the two talented authors are up to. There is no denying the fact that a lot of time and effort have been spent to produce the thirteen stories that form this book, and add to it a brilliant Foreword, you know, this night is surely gonna run long.
But wait, the stories don’t start yet. Right after the Foreword, you have the Prelude, where the two characters are our very own, Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee, discussing horror experiences, and finally settle down on a mutual agreement of penning down stories together, and am glad they did. Having read them before, I had high expectations from them, and true to my belief, they didn't disappoint.
The positives are many, and that’s always a good thing for the readers, isn't it? The horror genre isn't an easy one to write, as the genre itself depends on sound and sight to evoke the feel, while an author’s job is cut out in this respect as he doesn't have the luxury of either. However, full marks to Vivek and Faraaz for not letting this to be a hindrance. Most of the stories are well suited to the theme, and the unique plots for all ensure that your interest is kept alive right throughout the book.
The book takes on a rollicking start with ‘That Fateful Night’ as the first story. It’s satisfying and makes you crave for more. Does ‘The Long Weekend’ satiate your thirst? Nay, instead it augments it, and you are now comfortably snuggled in your blanket, starting to read the third one. But wait, who was that standing behind the door?
No one. Don’t worry. Ghosts are not real. You turn to the third tale.
‘The Man Who Did Not Fear’ is a story where the protagonist attempts to dare a haunt, and haven’t we all tried that in some point of our lives, accepting the challenges from our friends to pay a visit and spend time in a scary circumstance? Well, I have, and I could relate perfectly with this story. However, the fourth story, ‘Strangers In The Night’ turns out to be a dampener for me. I didn't like how it ended, and was expecting something better out of it.
Never mind. I turned towards the fifth story when a sudden gust of cold wind made me turn towards the window. Heck, it was closed. Where did the breeze come from? Was my heart thumping? Come on, this is the twenty-first century, don’t think crazily, I convinced myself, and started reading ‘The Muse Comes Calling.’ This is another story that I didn't like much. I mean the narration is swift, the plot unique, but again, I didn't like the way it concluded. Could there have been a better ending? May be yes, may be no. Perhaps, I felt it too unrealistic to be true, but then again, that’s the way I thought. You, and others, though, might enjoy this story to the fullest, depending on how you perceive and expect events to happen.
But yes, ‘The Muse Comes Calling’ has one of the best plots I have EVER come across. My only complaint – the ending.
‘The Lady In The Pub’, and wow, what can I say. I loved it as most of the other stories before, and as the rest that will follow. It’s a sweet tale of losing one’s love, and how it haunts forever. Talking of love, what can be more precious than ‘A Mother’s Love’, and the two authors beautifully highlight that fact with a pinch of emotion in this otherwise paranormal story.
‘Red Bangles’ is scary, but of course, that’s what this book is meant to be, but by scary I mean SCARY. The narration highlighting the villainous intent of the protagonist is polished, and you can read his mind and loathe him for his actions, but the image of the red bangles never leave you.
Wait, did I hear the tinkling of bangles? Man, now this is turning out to be eerie. I got up from my bed, and turned on the lights of the other rooms as well. ‘Let there be light’ – I thought, and philosophized, and came back under my blanket.
‘The Mark of the Beast’ – beware of the beast, it will rescue you, but then, you wouldn't like to be rescued. What happens when you start feeling that death would have been preferable? Such a condition would truly be depressing, and this story revolves around this subject in an apt fashion. ‘The Mystery Lake’ starts mysteriously, and I loved how the authors juggled two plots and conjoined them to form one brilliant piece. It has the element of adventure in it, and keeps your pulses racing. However, nothing can prepare you for ‘Possession’, and let me warn you here. Do not expect anything out of this story, ‘cause what you think won’t happen. The authors take this story to a completely different dimension, with twists and turns you fail to fathom, and once you are done with it, you yell in delight – “Wow, now this was something.”
‘Unfulfilled Desires’ as the name suggests, revolve around, well, unfulfilled desires, about love and happiness, replaced with hatred and betrayal. This story is located across several towns and cities, and the beautiful description of the locales makes you believe that you are travelling two with the protagonist.
‘Dreamgirl’ the 13th story, is as chilling as the supposedly doomed number itself. This is a perfect conclusion to the collection, and certain parts in the narration will certainly make you shiver, as I am shivering now.
I woke up with a start. When did I fall asleep? I know not. When did I pen down the review? No idea. All I could remember was, what? My mind suddenly seemed numb, and as I looked around, I found ‘The Other Side’ staring creepily at me, those red eyes, oops, did they blink? I felt so.
And then it all came back. I was so engrossed in reading and writing the review last night that I had lost track of the time, and soon after I was done with the book, my mind programmed me to sleep. The sun had risen across the cool winter morning, and I made myself a cup of tea.
Now, coming to the part I didn't like. Several stories in the book have the element of physical intimacy, which is fine, as that’s what the plots demanded. However, I felt that those could have been written in a manner that would be more subtle and aesthetic, targeting not the actual happenings and details of the sexual encounters in a physical manner, but rather, should have focused on the sensory perception, making the entire story all the more fascinating and literary satisfying. This is something I will definitely expect from both the authors in the near future.
Time to conclude the review with the three favorites of mine, and they turn out to be:
Possession,
The Long Weekend,
The Lady In the Pub.
I look at my watch, and I freeze. The hands are stuck at exactly 12. I hear a muffled cry, and I look at the book cover. The eyes grow in shape, and a deep raspy voice echoes in my room – “The Other Side … Dare To Visit Alone.”
November 7, 2014
PS: I received the copy for a review blog tour
The Other Side is a collection of thirteen stories each with different paranormal activities and if you include the awesome Prelude and Epilogue you'll get 15 awesome (in creepy way) stories.
Each story is different from other. If one had tortured but good souls other had the most ruthless killer, if one was come unknown creature other was a loving and innocent soul of a motherless child and so on.
I lost into the book right from page one (i.e Prelude) where our main characters are both the authors who are trying to brainstorm a theme for their new book. And then the stories. I am going to share my feedback on each story:
1. That Fateful Night (4/5): This was a very nice start to the book. The story is about an aged couple who died century ago when no one stood up to help them. It shows us the good side of the "other" world. I also liked the hidden message in the story- never neglect old people in our surrounding.
2. The Long Weekend (2.5/5): The start was interesting with all the planchette reading and Ouija board but I was lost, confused towards the end. I could not understand what happened (but maybe its just dumb me ;) ).
3. The Man Who Did Not Fear (5/5): This was my favorite. It made me shiver, had my heart beat faster and I had goosebumps even after finishing the story. It was awesomely filled with horror which left me sweating in this biting cold. It is about a college guy who considered himself fearless and agreed to stay in an old hunted house for a night when his friends offered him cash as a bet.
4. Strangers In the Night (4/5): Nicely written story that surprised me at the climax. It had the perfect start with a guy giving lift to a beautiful girl who was standing outside the cemetery.*SPOILER* All along the story I thought that 'bad guy' was the girl and then bam! it was other way around- you are introduced to the famous paranormal creature the Handsome Werewolf. (So ladies be careful before taking that lift just make sure you are not with some sickeningly handsome werewolf ;) ) *SPOILER END*
5. The Muse Comes Calling (5/5): Another awesomely superb story with the amazing theme. It features a guy named Abhijit Mukherjee who has become a bestselling author. What Happens when the characters you created comes to life? And they didn't at all liked the way you told their story?
Wanna know? Read this story and you'll get all your answers *evil smile*
6. The Lady In The Pub (3/5): It was a nice story but was not horrifyingly creepy which could make me excite or jump. It is story about a girl who never got the love of her life and now she comes searching for him periodically.
7. A Mother's Love (3.5/5): It was a sweet paranormal story. It have a couple who longed to have a child but for some unexplained reasons couldn't, it has a old bungalow from British India period and cute ghost of a little boy who was motherless since his birth. I liked how the authors interconnected the events in the story and gave us such a nice ending.
8. Red Bangles (2/5): It was an ok read. A 'stay in the background kind of teenager' boy who felt an instant attraction towards his new classmate and then the rejection and then finally the extreme step of kidnapping her but with a paranormal touch. I don't think it was strong theme for a paranormal story.
9. The Mark of The Beast (3.5/5): Nice read but didn't had anything new. The story was very similar to various tales popular among old people. A cursed creature and his encounter cursing the people who came across him giving them a fate harsh then death.
10. The Mystery Lake (5/5): It was based on the folklore related to the famous Roopkund Lake. I stumbled across the folklore few months back and since then have been attracted to the mysterious place. And reading about the same story with an another angle was superb experience and it was almost believable to me .
11. Possession (3/5): It was an amazing story but I found it similar to the movie 'The Exorcist'. Had I not seen the movie, I am sure I would have surely liked to read the story and would have been scared to the core.
12. Unfulfilled Desires (4/5): It was a bit common theme of a back stabbing lover who killed his so called love and made people think that it was a suicide leaving the girl dead with 'unfulfilled desires'. But the way authors weaved the mystery and made our protagonist solve the mystery was amazing.
13. Dream Girl (4/5): *shudders* This was really creepy. It had a psychotic killer who is making some kind of 'creation- his creation'. While reading it I recalled the movie The Silence of The Lambs and shivered imagining all the gory killings. *shakes of that creepy feeling*
EPILOGUE: It was the perfect ending. It felt amazing to read about Bhangarh (another place which I have find very facinating) Having heard so much about the place and living just 80kms from the place I have always wished to visit it and I hope my father takes me there soon.
OVERALL the book was nicely written, with amazing detail and with almost imagery language, which made it more fun (in horror kind of way) to read it. It was an wonderful experience and had raised my interest in the genre.
Original Post here: http://gatewaytodifferentworld.blogsp...
The Other Side is a collection of thirteen stories each with different paranormal activities and if you include the awesome Prelude and Epilogue you'll get 15 awesome (in creepy way) stories.
Each story is different from other. If one had tortured but good souls other had the most ruthless killer, if one was come unknown creature other was a loving and innocent soul of a motherless child and so on.
I lost into the book right from page one (i.e Prelude) where our main characters are both the authors who are trying to brainstorm a theme for their new book. And then the stories. I am going to share my feedback on each story:
1. That Fateful Night (4/5): This was a very nice start to the book. The story is about an aged couple who died century ago when no one stood up to help them. It shows us the good side of the "other" world. I also liked the hidden message in the story- never neglect old people in our surrounding.
2. The Long Weekend (2.5/5): The start was interesting with all the planchette reading and Ouija board but I was lost, confused towards the end. I could not understand what happened (but maybe its just dumb me ;) ).
3. The Man Who Did Not Fear (5/5): This was my favorite. It made me shiver, had my heart beat faster and I had goosebumps even after finishing the story. It was awesomely filled with horror which left me sweating in this biting cold. It is about a college guy who considered himself fearless and agreed to stay in an old hunted house for a night when his friends offered him cash as a bet.
4. Strangers In the Night (4/5): Nicely written story that surprised me at the climax. It had the perfect start with a guy giving lift to a beautiful girl who was standing outside the cemetery.*SPOILER* All along the story I thought that 'bad guy' was the girl and then bam! it was other way around- you are introduced to the famous paranormal creature the Handsome Werewolf. (So ladies be careful before taking that lift just make sure you are not with some sickeningly handsome werewolf ;) ) *SPOILER END*
5. The Muse Comes Calling (5/5): Another awesomely superb story with the amazing theme. It features a guy named Abhijit Mukherjee who has become a bestselling author. What Happens when the characters you created comes to life? And they didn't at all liked the way you told their story?
Wanna know? Read this story and you'll get all your answers *evil smile*
6. The Lady In The Pub (3/5): It was a nice story but was not horrifyingly creepy which could make me excite or jump. It is story about a girl who never got the love of her life and now she comes searching for him periodically.
7. A Mother's Love (3.5/5): It was a sweet paranormal story. It have a couple who longed to have a child but for some unexplained reasons couldn't, it has a old bungalow from British India period and cute ghost of a little boy who was motherless since his birth. I liked how the authors interconnected the events in the story and gave us such a nice ending.
8. Red Bangles (2/5): It was an ok read. A 'stay in the background kind of teenager' boy who felt an instant attraction towards his new classmate and then the rejection and then finally the extreme step of kidnapping her but with a paranormal touch. I don't think it was strong theme for a paranormal story.
9. The Mark of The Beast (3.5/5): Nice read but didn't had anything new. The story was very similar to various tales popular among old people. A cursed creature and his encounter cursing the people who came across him giving them a fate harsh then death.
10. The Mystery Lake (5/5): It was based on the folklore related to the famous Roopkund Lake. I stumbled across the folklore few months back and since then have been attracted to the mysterious place. And reading about the same story with an another angle was superb experience and it was almost believable to me .
11. Possession (3/5): It was an amazing story but I found it similar to the movie 'The Exorcist'. Had I not seen the movie, I am sure I would have surely liked to read the story and would have been scared to the core.
12. Unfulfilled Desires (4/5): It was a bit common theme of a back stabbing lover who killed his so called love and made people think that it was a suicide leaving the girl dead with 'unfulfilled desires'. But the way authors weaved the mystery and made our protagonist solve the mystery was amazing.
13. Dream Girl (4/5): *shudders* This was really creepy. It had a psychotic killer who is making some kind of 'creation- his creation'. While reading it I recalled the movie The Silence of The Lambs and shivered imagining all the gory killings. *shakes of that creepy feeling*
EPILOGUE: It was the perfect ending. It felt amazing to read about Bhangarh (another place which I have find very facinating) Having heard so much about the place and living just 80kms from the place I have always wished to visit it and I hope my father takes me there soon.
OVERALL the book was nicely written, with amazing detail and with almost imagery language, which made it more fun (in horror kind of way) to read it. It was an wonderful experience and had raised my interest in the genre.
Original Post here: http://gatewaytodifferentworld.blogsp...
January 17, 2014
As said in the blurb “The Other Side” is a collection of 13 stories, that have ghosts, spirits, paranormal activity and chilling action lined up for the readers. Probably the USP of the collection is that it has the stories of both the good spirits and the bad spirits. Yeah you read it right , the good spirits that might not harm any one and if you are lucky might even empathize with you and the evil ones that might not even tolerate one’s presence in their arena. The book also portrays the karmic cycle in a very good way.
The stories , “The Fateful night”, “The unfulfilled desire”, “The Lady in the Pub” , “A Mother’s love” and “The Mystery Other_SideLake” do have spirits and paranormal activity in them but you would more or less empathize with the characters, the story line would be slightly predictable and you too would be pleasantly surprised as you see spirits and the paranormal activity in a completely different shade.
The stories “Possession”, “The Mark of the Beast”, “Strangers in the Night”, “The Long weekend”, “The Man who did not fear” are real must-reads for the twists they have. Even a seasoned reader will not be able to predict the twists and the stories would keep you glued to the book. My personal favorite here is the story “The Long weekend” , awesome twist that makes you pause, think & rethink before you absorb it correctly.
The stories “Red Bangles”, “The Muse comes home” and “Dream girl” were the creepiest ones to me, the ideas seemed totally new and the twists and turns did drive a chill through the spine. Real different imagination by the authors, I was speechless after reading them.
Very very good use of the language, depicting and narrating horror is not the easiest of the things to do (just imagine how bland stuff like evil dead would have sounded when you remove the audio visual part of it.) . Faraaz and Vivek did a fantabulous job with the narration. I also loved the words they used, every story was ostentatiously ornated with awesome words. I loved the English I read.
Another good thing about these stories is that they donot go by the normal haunted house and damsel in distress sort of regular and predictable plots, they offer the reader some refreshingly different perspectives of things and cover a lot number of places, from the back waters of Kerala to the busy roads in Mumbai and from there to the himalayan foothills in garhwal you visit different places and see different paranormal activity.
The book has a lot of trekking in it. I think it more or less reflects the authors love for trekking. The way they went on to describe the details of treks and mountains really appealed to me, I liked it. I also liked the way some of the stories bring up the law of karma, it is one subject that appeals to me and I loved the way the authors related the things.
I do not have any qualms about the book, except that some of the stories do feel slightly lengthy, but given the fact that they keep you glued to the book. It is not much of a trouble.
All in all a wonderful read , do pick it up and you are going to enjoy it.
The stories , “The Fateful night”, “The unfulfilled desire”, “The Lady in the Pub” , “A Mother’s love” and “The Mystery Other_SideLake” do have spirits and paranormal activity in them but you would more or less empathize with the characters, the story line would be slightly predictable and you too would be pleasantly surprised as you see spirits and the paranormal activity in a completely different shade.
The stories “Possession”, “The Mark of the Beast”, “Strangers in the Night”, “The Long weekend”, “The Man who did not fear” are real must-reads for the twists they have. Even a seasoned reader will not be able to predict the twists and the stories would keep you glued to the book. My personal favorite here is the story “The Long weekend” , awesome twist that makes you pause, think & rethink before you absorb it correctly.
The stories “Red Bangles”, “The Muse comes home” and “Dream girl” were the creepiest ones to me, the ideas seemed totally new and the twists and turns did drive a chill through the spine. Real different imagination by the authors, I was speechless after reading them.
Very very good use of the language, depicting and narrating horror is not the easiest of the things to do (just imagine how bland stuff like evil dead would have sounded when you remove the audio visual part of it.) . Faraaz and Vivek did a fantabulous job with the narration. I also loved the words they used, every story was ostentatiously ornated with awesome words. I loved the English I read.
Another good thing about these stories is that they donot go by the normal haunted house and damsel in distress sort of regular and predictable plots, they offer the reader some refreshingly different perspectives of things and cover a lot number of places, from the back waters of Kerala to the busy roads in Mumbai and from there to the himalayan foothills in garhwal you visit different places and see different paranormal activity.
The book has a lot of trekking in it. I think it more or less reflects the authors love for trekking. The way they went on to describe the details of treks and mountains really appealed to me, I liked it. I also liked the way some of the stories bring up the law of karma, it is one subject that appeals to me and I loved the way the authors related the things.
I do not have any qualms about the book, except that some of the stories do feel slightly lengthy, but given the fact that they keep you glued to the book. It is not much of a trouble.
All in all a wonderful read , do pick it up and you are going to enjoy it.
April 6, 2014
http://pebbleinthestillwaters.blogspo...
Book Review: The Other Side by Faraaz Kazi: Everybody is a Book of Blood
Horror is usually not the genre that I like to read but there have been exceptions in the past that I read and liked them and so is the case with The Other Side ... Dare To Visit Alone by Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee. Human tendency is more to opt for good side of anything specially when it comes to a road which is to be traveled alone. Good is not always good and bad is not always bad. Also good is not always real, and the other side gives you a better insight, better perspective, and a little more to ponder upon than the routine life.
The Other Side by Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee published by Mahaveer Publishers is a 320 pages and 13 stories book. Each story takes you to a different angle of life and makes you think in a different manner to look at it depending on the amount of gravity of subject you have been able to grasp while reading each one of them. For instance one of the story is about a young newly married couple living in a remote area where population of transport and human is very low. Nikhil is a doctor who has got transferred to a remote village and Lavanya is his newly wed wife. One night Nikhil encounters a man on a lonely road while travelling along with Lavanya in their car. The main standing on the side of a dark and isolated road requests Nikhil to attend to his wife who is in very serious condition and needs an urgent medical attention. Nikhil and Lavanya visit the old house on a barren land and Nikhil attends to that old lady. The old couple in return give a valuable gift to Lavanya. But when Nikhil and Lavanya visited the same place after a few days, it was entirely a different situation for both of them that was more than enough to get shocked.
Similarly we have another story where a newly wed couple decides to go for a weekend to a hill station. Sachin decided to take Shikha on bike to the hill station to spend their weekend and revive back their good old days back where they used to love each other like anything. The weather goes nasty but still the couple is able to reach to their destination to spend few moments of love between them. Just one connection that I failed to correlate between the spirit Ranjit Singh that was invited by Tanya to answer the queries of Shikha and Sanjana and Ranjit who met the couple (Shikha and Sachin) on the hill station. May be there was no link but then why the author used same name and for what purpose... could not find out.
The 13 short stories are definitely going to take your mind and heart for a toss, to get you into a different kind of inquisitive and introspective mode. The Other Side by Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee is definitely an off-stream and a different kind of book comprising horror stories that make you THINK.
Book Review: The Other Side by Faraaz Kazi: Everybody is a Book of Blood
Horror is usually not the genre that I like to read but there have been exceptions in the past that I read and liked them and so is the case with The Other Side ... Dare To Visit Alone by Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee. Human tendency is more to opt for good side of anything specially when it comes to a road which is to be traveled alone. Good is not always good and bad is not always bad. Also good is not always real, and the other side gives you a better insight, better perspective, and a little more to ponder upon than the routine life.
The Other Side by Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee published by Mahaveer Publishers is a 320 pages and 13 stories book. Each story takes you to a different angle of life and makes you think in a different manner to look at it depending on the amount of gravity of subject you have been able to grasp while reading each one of them. For instance one of the story is about a young newly married couple living in a remote area where population of transport and human is very low. Nikhil is a doctor who has got transferred to a remote village and Lavanya is his newly wed wife. One night Nikhil encounters a man on a lonely road while travelling along with Lavanya in their car. The main standing on the side of a dark and isolated road requests Nikhil to attend to his wife who is in very serious condition and needs an urgent medical attention. Nikhil and Lavanya visit the old house on a barren land and Nikhil attends to that old lady. The old couple in return give a valuable gift to Lavanya. But when Nikhil and Lavanya visited the same place after a few days, it was entirely a different situation for both of them that was more than enough to get shocked.
Similarly we have another story where a newly wed couple decides to go for a weekend to a hill station. Sachin decided to take Shikha on bike to the hill station to spend their weekend and revive back their good old days back where they used to love each other like anything. The weather goes nasty but still the couple is able to reach to their destination to spend few moments of love between them. Just one connection that I failed to correlate between the spirit Ranjit Singh that was invited by Tanya to answer the queries of Shikha and Sanjana and Ranjit who met the couple (Shikha and Sachin) on the hill station. May be there was no link but then why the author used same name and for what purpose... could not find out.
The 13 short stories are definitely going to take your mind and heart for a toss, to get you into a different kind of inquisitive and introspective mode. The Other Side by Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee is definitely an off-stream and a different kind of book comprising horror stories that make you THINK.
September 16, 2014
The Horror Genre has always fascinated me. The sense of timing, the sense of invoking the fear factor in the reader's inward eye -all should be timed perfectly. One can say it is the other side of Comedy. So did Faraaz and Vivek achieve this? To some extend yes. As with all anthologies - some are hits and some are misses. But one thing I can guarantee you - there is no lack of factor FEAR in any of the stories.
The stories have been woven from old wives tales to the modern scenario. Beautifully done. In Bangla, there is a collection of stories - Takurma'r Jhuli.. (Bag of stories of Gandma) and these stories literally took me to my childhood when I would hear my Dadu narrating these kinds of stories having shaakchinni et al. (daayen or banshee can be called the cousins of this breed :D)
Some stories like the Fateful Night and Lady in the Pub were predictable, but worth reading. Anyone who has seen the Zee horror show can predict the outcome. Well, that could also mean you all won't admit having seen that "mind gobbling" show and thus cannot predict the end. **(whispering," psst.. I have seen every damn episode so could predict the end. Thank you Mr. Ramsay!)
Stories like Long Weekend touched my heart. More than fear, it was the feeling of sadness that engulfed me. Very well executed.
Few stories like The Man Who Knew No Fear, Mark of the Beast, Mystery Lake and Mother's Love were very ambiguous. No. I think the right word would be 'arty' at the cost of looking like a bimbo, it took me some time to understand them. They had many hidden layers and for a short, horror story, it deviates the readers from the fear factor.
Strangers in the Night puts my dream of cross country hitchhiking to the can. Don't say I didn't warn you, but again the ending was one with a twist and even with my Phd. from Ramsay University I could not predict it. Betcha you can't too.
The Muse comes Calling is superb! A must read for all writers.. You all will start writing HEA ..:D
Red Bangle is another story which touched my heart. From a woman's point of view, this story is a must for all ladies. Thank you Faraaz and Vivek for writing this and showing your respect for women. Now all we have to do now is to turn it into a reality every time a Vinay strikes!
Unfulfilled Desire is a well written and a page turner. The twist specially was unexpected. I found one thing about all the stories in this anthology. The way the words flowed, interweaving each story with each other. All are different, yet the voice in all the stories stand out as one. Considering the fact, that two writers have come together to write this - it is really commendable.
Read the Full Review @
http://www.rubinaramesh.com/2014/09/t...
The stories have been woven from old wives tales to the modern scenario. Beautifully done. In Bangla, there is a collection of stories - Takurma'r Jhuli.. (Bag of stories of Gandma) and these stories literally took me to my childhood when I would hear my Dadu narrating these kinds of stories having shaakchinni et al. (daayen or banshee can be called the cousins of this breed :D)
Some stories like the Fateful Night and Lady in the Pub were predictable, but worth reading. Anyone who has seen the Zee horror show can predict the outcome. Well, that could also mean you all won't admit having seen that "mind gobbling" show and thus cannot predict the end. **(whispering," psst.. I have seen every damn episode so could predict the end. Thank you Mr. Ramsay!)
Stories like Long Weekend touched my heart. More than fear, it was the feeling of sadness that engulfed me. Very well executed.
Few stories like The Man Who Knew No Fear, Mark of the Beast, Mystery Lake and Mother's Love were very ambiguous. No. I think the right word would be 'arty' at the cost of looking like a bimbo, it took me some time to understand them. They had many hidden layers and for a short, horror story, it deviates the readers from the fear factor.
Strangers in the Night puts my dream of cross country hitchhiking to the can. Don't say I didn't warn you, but again the ending was one with a twist and even with my Phd. from Ramsay University I could not predict it. Betcha you can't too.
The Muse comes Calling is superb! A must read for all writers.. You all will start writing HEA ..:D
Red Bangle is another story which touched my heart. From a woman's point of view, this story is a must for all ladies. Thank you Faraaz and Vivek for writing this and showing your respect for women. Now all we have to do now is to turn it into a reality every time a Vinay strikes!
Unfulfilled Desire is a well written and a page turner. The twist specially was unexpected. I found one thing about all the stories in this anthology. The way the words flowed, interweaving each story with each other. All are different, yet the voice in all the stories stand out as one. Considering the fact, that two writers have come together to write this - it is really commendable.
Read the Full Review @
http://www.rubinaramesh.com/2014/09/t...
February 17, 2017
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/01/The...
In general, I do not read much horror stories because I have realised that a book has to be written exceptionally well to give the chills or goosebumps and if it doesn’t then it fails the idea of ‘horror’. Besides, once you have read Stephen King, it is difficult to like other horror stories. I picked up this book basically out of curiosity because Faraaz Kazi’s debut novel was a romance and I wanted to know if a young author like him can successfully write stories in such different genre. Can the same author make a reader go ‘Aww!!’ while reading his romance novel to ‘Oh Shit!’ while reading his horror stories…? Well, I am glad that my curiosity made me pick this book up because the answer is ‘YES’.
This book also presents unique perspectives in its ‘Prelude’ where the authors battle it out about their personal experiences and thoughts and end up deciding to write down their experiences leading to the creation of this anthology. I was in love with this book even before starting with the first story and had made a hasty decision that the ‘Prelude’ was going to be the best part of this book. And don’t you love it when the authors prove you wrong by coming up with something that you are going to enjoy even more?
There are ‘13’ stories in this book. [Wait a minute… was that intentional – writing ‘13’ stories? I bet it was!] Each story is different from the other and most of them don’t even take the conventional road to horror. As the rhythm builds up with each story, I stopped ‘expecting’ things to happen and instead let the flow of the stories take me ‘wherever’. My favourites turned out to be ‘The Muse Comes Calling’ and ‘The Lady in the Pub’, but then ‘Dreamgirl’ and ‘Red Bangles’ comes close behind. I did not agree with a couple of endings that left me feeling ‘What?!!’ But then again, I guess that was the authors’ intention – to leave you craving for more.
I would have rated this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars had it not been for the ‘sexual content’ of this book. Granted that in some cases the stories called for it, I just feel that they could be handed out in a more subtle way rather than in the ‘out in your face’ manner. But then, that’s just me and my notion that such content should be graphic only in the erotic genre.
Overall, this was a spine tingling experience! Go read it for yourself!
In general, I do not read much horror stories because I have realised that a book has to be written exceptionally well to give the chills or goosebumps and if it doesn’t then it fails the idea of ‘horror’. Besides, once you have read Stephen King, it is difficult to like other horror stories. I picked up this book basically out of curiosity because Faraaz Kazi’s debut novel was a romance and I wanted to know if a young author like him can successfully write stories in such different genre. Can the same author make a reader go ‘Aww!!’ while reading his romance novel to ‘Oh Shit!’ while reading his horror stories…? Well, I am glad that my curiosity made me pick this book up because the answer is ‘YES’.
This book also presents unique perspectives in its ‘Prelude’ where the authors battle it out about their personal experiences and thoughts and end up deciding to write down their experiences leading to the creation of this anthology. I was in love with this book even before starting with the first story and had made a hasty decision that the ‘Prelude’ was going to be the best part of this book. And don’t you love it when the authors prove you wrong by coming up with something that you are going to enjoy even more?
There are ‘13’ stories in this book. [Wait a minute… was that intentional – writing ‘13’ stories? I bet it was!] Each story is different from the other and most of them don’t even take the conventional road to horror. As the rhythm builds up with each story, I stopped ‘expecting’ things to happen and instead let the flow of the stories take me ‘wherever’. My favourites turned out to be ‘The Muse Comes Calling’ and ‘The Lady in the Pub’, but then ‘Dreamgirl’ and ‘Red Bangles’ comes close behind. I did not agree with a couple of endings that left me feeling ‘What?!!’ But then again, I guess that was the authors’ intention – to leave you craving for more.
I would have rated this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars had it not been for the ‘sexual content’ of this book. Granted that in some cases the stories called for it, I just feel that they could be handed out in a more subtle way rather than in the ‘out in your face’ manner. But then, that’s just me and my notion that such content should be graphic only in the erotic genre.
Overall, this was a spine tingling experience! Go read it for yourself!
January 20, 2014
Authors: Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee
Publisher: Mahaveer Publishers
Genre: Fiction/Horror
ISBN: 9789350880760
Price: Rs 150
Pages: 320
Starting with the prelude, the book has something about it which will bind you right from the beginning. I loved how the two authors engage in a conversation and start telling each other stories that lead to this anthology. I won’t be giving away spoilers here or review every story separately, but tell you what you are going to love in this one.
Right from story number one, a fateful night, you are going to fall for the Authors’ narration style and description of the surroundings. And that is something which won’t disappoint you throughout.
tos tour banner
The stories range from a weekend celebration of a few youngsters gone wrong to a sociopath who kills girls to quench his desperation. In some stories you are going to have those sudden thrilling moments which will make you freak out if you’re the kind of person who gets afraid when the scary witch comes alive in horror movies.
When I started reviewing the book there was a thought in my mind. That I was such a wrong person to review it, since never in my life have I been afraid of anything. Even “The conjuring” had managed to make me laugh at most. But this is not all that you read a book for. Not only I am sure this book will scare the hell out of people who do get scared by things, everyone who likes to read will fall short of words while praising the quality of writing.
The thought behind every story is creative and new (and disturbing.. to a great extent :P ).
I’d specially mention two stories, “A mother’s love” and “Dreamgirl” for the amazing storyline and narration. No story in particular disappointed me, although I do hope the “Red bangles” had a better ending.
Being from Jaipur and having been to Bhangarh, I may not totally agree, but liked the Epilogue.
This book may not be in the “Must read” list for you, but this being a collection of short stories, I’d recommend this to everyone who likes short reads and to everyone who likes ‘different’ stuff, if you know what I mean.
Publisher: Mahaveer Publishers
Genre: Fiction/Horror
ISBN: 9789350880760
Price: Rs 150
Pages: 320
Starting with the prelude, the book has something about it which will bind you right from the beginning. I loved how the two authors engage in a conversation and start telling each other stories that lead to this anthology. I won’t be giving away spoilers here or review every story separately, but tell you what you are going to love in this one.
Right from story number one, a fateful night, you are going to fall for the Authors’ narration style and description of the surroundings. And that is something which won’t disappoint you throughout.
tos tour banner
The stories range from a weekend celebration of a few youngsters gone wrong to a sociopath who kills girls to quench his desperation. In some stories you are going to have those sudden thrilling moments which will make you freak out if you’re the kind of person who gets afraid when the scary witch comes alive in horror movies.
When I started reviewing the book there was a thought in my mind. That I was such a wrong person to review it, since never in my life have I been afraid of anything. Even “The conjuring” had managed to make me laugh at most. But this is not all that you read a book for. Not only I am sure this book will scare the hell out of people who do get scared by things, everyone who likes to read will fall short of words while praising the quality of writing.
The thought behind every story is creative and new (and disturbing.. to a great extent :P ).
I’d specially mention two stories, “A mother’s love” and “Dreamgirl” for the amazing storyline and narration. No story in particular disappointed me, although I do hope the “Red bangles” had a better ending.
Being from Jaipur and having been to Bhangarh, I may not totally agree, but liked the Epilogue.
This book may not be in the “Must read” list for you, but this being a collection of short stories, I’d recommend this to everyone who likes short reads and to everyone who likes ‘different’ stuff, if you know what I mean.
December 25, 2013
I absolutely love short stories. This book was well put together by the brilliance of Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee. It is one of the rare co-authored books that proves there is great benefit in unity or rather two minds are better than one. Though this is a national award winning writer's book, I support Kazi in his call as he has done a good job of collaborating with his coauthor.
Like any other short story book, there were ones I liked more than others. I was thrilled to read about the fact that the stories had a closer connect to India.
These 13 tales include some of the most gripping fiction I've ever encountered. Consider, for example, Red Bangles, a story that has blood curdling scenes of necrophilia and beastism. Or The Fateful Night, a story that will leave you gasping for air at the predictable shock of it. Or Possession which I think is a story of resurrection -- with a ghastly difference at the end. The Other Side offers these and 10 more stories that will curdle your blood.
A word of caution: Do not read at night. And be sure to sleep with a nightlight on after reading the stories in this collection.
Like any other short story book, there were ones I liked more than others. I was thrilled to read about the fact that the stories had a closer connect to India.
These 13 tales include some of the most gripping fiction I've ever encountered. Consider, for example, Red Bangles, a story that has blood curdling scenes of necrophilia and beastism. Or The Fateful Night, a story that will leave you gasping for air at the predictable shock of it. Or Possession which I think is a story of resurrection -- with a ghastly difference at the end. The Other Side offers these and 10 more stories that will curdle your blood.
A word of caution: Do not read at night. And be sure to sleep with a nightlight on after reading the stories in this collection.
January 12, 2014
I picked this book just like that on flipkart while doing my usual purchase! I guess paranormal is not a genre which I associate with India writers which obviously was the main reason behind picking it up.
It is a collection of 13(guess that also came from the scary number 13!) stories where each one is different from other with a common thread of “other world” binding them together. I must say that the “foreword” is one of the best that I have ever read in any book; it definitely sets the mood/tone of the book and you know very well what you will get ahead!
Coming to the stories, I won’t say that they were “scary-scary” but they were creepy for sure and almost all 13 stories had moments which gave me goosebumps. I was definitely taken quite successfully by the authors to the locations in almost all stories which I will say is one of big plus for any book/story. Their biggest positive here is forcing us to use our imagination to recreate the scenes in our mind which obviously is most scary.
I would rate “Strangers in the Night” highest on the “surprise quotient” and “A Mother’s Love” as the happiest of the lot.
It is a collection of 13(guess that also came from the scary number 13!) stories where each one is different from other with a common thread of “other world” binding them together. I must say that the “foreword” is one of the best that I have ever read in any book; it definitely sets the mood/tone of the book and you know very well what you will get ahead!
Coming to the stories, I won’t say that they were “scary-scary” but they were creepy for sure and almost all 13 stories had moments which gave me goosebumps. I was definitely taken quite successfully by the authors to the locations in almost all stories which I will say is one of big plus for any book/story. Their biggest positive here is forcing us to use our imagination to recreate the scenes in our mind which obviously is most scary.
I would rate “Strangers in the Night” highest on the “surprise quotient” and “A Mother’s Love” as the happiest of the lot.
January 2, 2014
The Other Side"--- short stories anthology by Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banerjee sir.
My personal favorite stories are: -
The Long weekend
The Man who Did not fear
Red Bangles
Possession.
Its a collection of 13 stories...each story is entirely different from the other ! loved the quotation parts vch highlights its presence before the start of a new story ! Brilliant writing skills and unexpected endings !!! Some stories scared the hell out of me ! I learnt alot about evil spirits and about their existence !!! A must read book !!!!! . Sometimes we all come across with some strange experiences but we tend to ignore them. Believe me guys whatever strange incidences we experience, all dat not a part of our illusion bt a damn reality which we often brush away by blaming on our subconsciousness !!!!
Welcome to the world of other side.
Dare to visit it Alone ?????
My personal favorite stories are: -
The Long weekend
The Man who Did not fear
Red Bangles
Possession.
Its a collection of 13 stories...each story is entirely different from the other ! loved the quotation parts vch highlights its presence before the start of a new story ! Brilliant writing skills and unexpected endings !!! Some stories scared the hell out of me ! I learnt alot about evil spirits and about their existence !!! A must read book !!!!! . Sometimes we all come across with some strange experiences but we tend to ignore them. Believe me guys whatever strange incidences we experience, all dat not a part of our illusion bt a damn reality which we often brush away by blaming on our subconsciousness !!!!
Welcome to the world of other side.
Dare to visit it Alone ?????
January 20, 2015
I remember when we were young, we would gather around our Nani (grandmother) and beg her to tell us horror stories. We would listen with enthusiasm, our young brains taking in all the stories of churails and bhoots. Funny enough, I am still a big fan of horror genre but if it is not about a churail it does not have any effect on me.
Reading "The Other Side" was a similar experience to my childhood days and it even managed to bring about 1 nightmare. I mostly read this book in the night to feel the stories. Every night after I have had the daily dose of reading, I would switch off the lamp but 30 seconds into the darkness I would desperately look for the switch.
The writing style was simple. The scene descriptions were really powerful and easily sent my imagination wild. Absolutely perfect book!
Reading "The Other Side" was a similar experience to my childhood days and it even managed to bring about 1 nightmare. I mostly read this book in the night to feel the stories. Every night after I have had the daily dose of reading, I would switch off the lamp but 30 seconds into the darkness I would desperately look for the switch.
The writing style was simple. The scene descriptions were really powerful and easily sent my imagination wild. Absolutely perfect book!
September 13, 2016
Thanks Goodreads Giveaway for the book!
The Other Side
By Faraaz Kazi & Vivek Banerjee
Review By Ila Garg
The book comprising of 13 remarkably thrilling short stories, The Other Side, has been published by Mahaveer Publishers. All the thirteen stories are very well written and deal with the various different forms of horror; all knit by a common thread ‘The fear of unknown’.
The book is adorned with a gripping cover page. It is not at all misleading. I found it innovative and screaming to be picked up and read! Indeed a simple yet captivating cover idea. The font used for the title of the book is in itself so compelling that one would pick up the book. The title is tempting too.
“We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.”
- Stephen King
The blurb reads as, ‘A slow rasping sound made me turn. I jumped back, the cell phone leaving my hands and smashing against the concrete floor. Someone was seated on the chair, rocking back and forth. Through the fallen light, I could see those hands placed on the arms of the chair, two gruesome wrinkled limbs with ugly boils plastered over the black skin. The red bangles on its wrists shone in my eyes, momentarily blinding me. That thing and I call it a thing because I could sense it wasn't human as no human could have such a hideous form, as vile an existence as the one seated opposite to my horrified self.
From a honeymoon in the hill that goes horribly wrong to an obsessed lover who wants his first love in life and in death; From a mentally deranged man who collects body parts of various women to stitch together his dream girl to a skeptic who enters a mansion of horrors to win a bet and much more, this book is filled with scenarios that are guaranteed to give you goose bumps and sleepless nights.
'The Other Side' is a collection of thirteen tales of the paranormal; a world that our eyes refuse to see, our ears deny hearing and our senses ignore the feel of. This is a book for someone who is brave enough to take up this invitation to journey through uncharted waters along with the authors, who were inspired by some bizarre experiences to pen down this work where the lines of reality have been blurred by the footsteps of imagination.
Each story takes you on a tour de force of unadulterated horror and draws upon the deepest fear in the human mind- the fear of the UNKNOWN!’
Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banarjee, the authors of the book, team up to pen down an anthology of short stories of a different genre, mainly horror fiction mixed with brutality and/or benevolence at times. The book consists of thirteen tales that are mostly based on paranormal theme and creepy settings. All the stories are independent with a plot of their own and are not related to each other in any way. The narration and dialogues form the USP. Both of them have done a commendable job in keeping the reader interest maintained throughout and wanting for more!
Starting with an aptly written foreword by Faraaz Kazi, the book engulfs you within with a Prelude. It takes you along into this journey to ‘The Other Side’… Dare to Visit Alone?
My personal favourites:
• The Long Weekend
• The Muse Comes Calling
• A Mother’s Love
• Possession
Next, let’s talk about the 13 well-knit stories one by one. Each begins with a quote or some lines from some famous personalities, enhancing the feel of the approaching stories. Also, each of them has a sketch accompanying it, depicting a scene out of the story. In short, both authors have managed to put forward a nicely compiled book for the readers.
“Sometimes the hardest journeys are the ones that begin with little hope. But we need to take them anyway.”
- Richard Finney
1. THAT FATEFUL NIGHT: This is a very light story. Quite predictable and deals with the good side of spirits. The language is simple, engrossing, clearly a perfect story to start the anthology with. Quoting from the story, “The first thing I felt was that there was no light around. I say ‘felt’ because I was keeping an eye on the old man who was near the huge door. Lavanya wrapped an arm around mine despite her anger. I could tell she didn’t like the place.”
2. THE LONG WEEKEND: This story is mind - blowing, I really enjoyed the chills that it gave me. The plot is serious, horror is instilled within. The language is equally serious, though engaging, and it takes you to the scene as the characters sit around the Ouija Board. Quoting from the story, “Tanya went on and on and suddenly stiffened. She whispered, “Someone is here. I feel it in my bones.” She then addressed to no one in particular. “Are you here? Have you come?” Shikha was shocked to feel the coin move, dragging the three fingers that were touching it to the YES.”
3. THE MAN WHO DID NOT FEAR: Very, very, predictable as I had earlier read a similar story in ‘Shades of Sin’ yet a nice story. The story was titled ‘The Bet’ by Vivek Banerjee. Although necessary twists have been made here but I felt the same essence. Quoting from the story, “Nirbhay’s heart hammered in his chest but the fear soon gave way to something inexplicable when he looked in the eyes of the girl.”
4. STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT: Two strangers, one night, a romantic setting, and yet a sense of fear lurking around! That’s because the fear of unknown never leaves us even for a moment. The climax will leave the readers in utter disbelief. Quoting from the story, “A huge wave crashed ashore, taking with it their discarded attire. It was followed by the mournful howl of a wolf that nobody heard on the deserted beach.”
5. THE MUSE COMES CALLING: A clearly engaging story for the writers and readers. It reflects on the dark side of spirits. The paranormal is highlighted here. I am sure it will intrigue all the readers. Quoting from the story, “Suddenly, the tape stopped, a cold sensation rose in his bowels, crawling upwards making him shudder. Something seized his mind, freezing his thoughts to a succinct absorbing standstill and then the feeling dissipated just as quickly as it had taken over him.”
6. THE LADY IN THE PUB: Nice plot. Starting was gripping. Pace was well maintained too. A little more mystery could have been added though. Quoting from the story, “As I finally managed to stand up on my wobbling feet, I turned to ask Aarusha’s mother one final question. My rickety feet gave away and I fell down again. There was no one behind me.”
“You see, the strangeness of my case is that now I no longer fear the invisible, I’m terrified by reality.”
- Jean Lorrain
7. A MOTHER’S LOVE: A story written with a deep emotional appeal. It actually made me smile and cry at the same time. It was not laced with hard core horror but on the contrary, it was just a light narrative. Simple, easy to understand language. Quoting from the story, “She cried and cried, her body shaking vigorously setting the swing in motion again and the tears trickled down her cheeks, raining on the grass where they blended with the dew. Suddenly, she felt a touch on her shoulder that broke the spell.”
8. RED BANGLES: A spine chilling story of a man, whose silent and unrequited love for a woman turns into a dangerous obsession, turning into horror! The ending left me in a gape. Even the pace is kept sooth for the readers. Quoting from the story, “Something stirred, I could see the shadowy figure lift its head and all of a sudden it turned towards me. I staggered back and fell onto the floor; the vase went crashing out of my hands. The bones in my body started chattering against each other, their jitters strangely sounded similar to the clinging of bangles.”
9. THE MARK OF THE BEAST: I liked this story. Also, from here on the anthology starts getting in its real form. Earlier than this, it was only light horror which was ruling the book, but the essential flavour begins emerging from here. This story also made me a little sad. You will know the reason once you read it. Quoting from the story, “The tent was flapping and shaking in the wind while frequent flashes of lightening shone through the fabric. She thought she saw the lightening illuminate a large shadow near their tent. She blinked and it was gone.”
10. THE MYSTERY LAKE: A history repeats itself kind of story! It gets slightly boring, I almost browsed through it. Otherwise it was a good narration. Quoting from the story, “Vikram had already discovered a few skulls and a bone on the edge of the lake above the black coloured rocks and the team was clustering around them, jabbering excitedly.”
11. POSSESSION: This left me in utter shock. I was tongue - tied and out rightly appalled by its plot and narration. I had goose bumps by the time I reached the end. A well written story of demonic spirits and is as gripping as The Exorcist or the likes of it. Quoting from the story, “She would see shadows following her whenever she used to go upstairs. Once she could swear she had seen the table move on its own in the kids’ room.”
12. UNFULFILLED DESIRES: An investigatory tale to help the ghost of a girl who is believed to have committed suicide. A marvel work that keeps you hooked till the end and you journey with the doctor to unveil the finer details. Quoting from the story, “The first thing that his senses took in was the complete absence of any kind of noise. A shroud of silence covered the area. Forget the people; Rajiv could not make out the presence of any bird or insects. He could not spot even a stray dog around.”
13. DREAM GIRL: A perfect ending for this anthology comes in the form of this story! A creepy story about a young man who collects beautiful body pieces of women to create his own dream girl. A story that makes you cringe and angry. It aggravates your senses! Quoting from the story, “I cast an appreciative glance at my creation, making my heart brim with joy. Unlike other men, I start admiring a woman’s body from below.”
“No, I’m not a dream; I’m your worst nightmare.”
- C.T. Todd
The authors have played well with the plotline for some of the short stories – they start on a theme that makes the story seem like the “same old’ ghost story” but then as you read the last page, a sudden twist breaks the reverie. This is quite good since the stories come out to be a witty combination of the expected as well as the unexpected. While for some stories this element of surprise in the end is their only redeeming point, for others the plotline just didn’t seem to work. The good part was since it was a collection of short stories, we can always move on to the next one within a few pages even if the previous one disappoints. The best and most innovative thing I found in this book is the prelude and epilogue... where the authors themselves become the characters. Overall, it qualifies as a nice anthology especially for the readers who enjoy such creepy stuff and tales of the paranormal world!
Rating: 3.5/5
This (Unbiased) book review is a part of "The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program". To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com. Thanks Nimi Vashi for giving me the opportunity to read such a nice book!
The Other Side
By Faraaz Kazi & Vivek Banerjee
Review By Ila Garg
The book comprising of 13 remarkably thrilling short stories, The Other Side, has been published by Mahaveer Publishers. All the thirteen stories are very well written and deal with the various different forms of horror; all knit by a common thread ‘The fear of unknown’.
The book is adorned with a gripping cover page. It is not at all misleading. I found it innovative and screaming to be picked up and read! Indeed a simple yet captivating cover idea. The font used for the title of the book is in itself so compelling that one would pick up the book. The title is tempting too.
“We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.”
- Stephen King
The blurb reads as, ‘A slow rasping sound made me turn. I jumped back, the cell phone leaving my hands and smashing against the concrete floor. Someone was seated on the chair, rocking back and forth. Through the fallen light, I could see those hands placed on the arms of the chair, two gruesome wrinkled limbs with ugly boils plastered over the black skin. The red bangles on its wrists shone in my eyes, momentarily blinding me. That thing and I call it a thing because I could sense it wasn't human as no human could have such a hideous form, as vile an existence as the one seated opposite to my horrified self.
From a honeymoon in the hill that goes horribly wrong to an obsessed lover who wants his first love in life and in death; From a mentally deranged man who collects body parts of various women to stitch together his dream girl to a skeptic who enters a mansion of horrors to win a bet and much more, this book is filled with scenarios that are guaranteed to give you goose bumps and sleepless nights.
'The Other Side' is a collection of thirteen tales of the paranormal; a world that our eyes refuse to see, our ears deny hearing and our senses ignore the feel of. This is a book for someone who is brave enough to take up this invitation to journey through uncharted waters along with the authors, who were inspired by some bizarre experiences to pen down this work where the lines of reality have been blurred by the footsteps of imagination.
Each story takes you on a tour de force of unadulterated horror and draws upon the deepest fear in the human mind- the fear of the UNKNOWN!’
Faraaz Kazi and Vivek Banarjee, the authors of the book, team up to pen down an anthology of short stories of a different genre, mainly horror fiction mixed with brutality and/or benevolence at times. The book consists of thirteen tales that are mostly based on paranormal theme and creepy settings. All the stories are independent with a plot of their own and are not related to each other in any way. The narration and dialogues form the USP. Both of them have done a commendable job in keeping the reader interest maintained throughout and wanting for more!
Starting with an aptly written foreword by Faraaz Kazi, the book engulfs you within with a Prelude. It takes you along into this journey to ‘The Other Side’… Dare to Visit Alone?
My personal favourites:
• The Long Weekend
• The Muse Comes Calling
• A Mother’s Love
• Possession
Next, let’s talk about the 13 well-knit stories one by one. Each begins with a quote or some lines from some famous personalities, enhancing the feel of the approaching stories. Also, each of them has a sketch accompanying it, depicting a scene out of the story. In short, both authors have managed to put forward a nicely compiled book for the readers.
“Sometimes the hardest journeys are the ones that begin with little hope. But we need to take them anyway.”
- Richard Finney
1. THAT FATEFUL NIGHT: This is a very light story. Quite predictable and deals with the good side of spirits. The language is simple, engrossing, clearly a perfect story to start the anthology with. Quoting from the story, “The first thing I felt was that there was no light around. I say ‘felt’ because I was keeping an eye on the old man who was near the huge door. Lavanya wrapped an arm around mine despite her anger. I could tell she didn’t like the place.”
2. THE LONG WEEKEND: This story is mind - blowing, I really enjoyed the chills that it gave me. The plot is serious, horror is instilled within. The language is equally serious, though engaging, and it takes you to the scene as the characters sit around the Ouija Board. Quoting from the story, “Tanya went on and on and suddenly stiffened. She whispered, “Someone is here. I feel it in my bones.” She then addressed to no one in particular. “Are you here? Have you come?” Shikha was shocked to feel the coin move, dragging the three fingers that were touching it to the YES.”
3. THE MAN WHO DID NOT FEAR: Very, very, predictable as I had earlier read a similar story in ‘Shades of Sin’ yet a nice story. The story was titled ‘The Bet’ by Vivek Banerjee. Although necessary twists have been made here but I felt the same essence. Quoting from the story, “Nirbhay’s heart hammered in his chest but the fear soon gave way to something inexplicable when he looked in the eyes of the girl.”
4. STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT: Two strangers, one night, a romantic setting, and yet a sense of fear lurking around! That’s because the fear of unknown never leaves us even for a moment. The climax will leave the readers in utter disbelief. Quoting from the story, “A huge wave crashed ashore, taking with it their discarded attire. It was followed by the mournful howl of a wolf that nobody heard on the deserted beach.”
5. THE MUSE COMES CALLING: A clearly engaging story for the writers and readers. It reflects on the dark side of spirits. The paranormal is highlighted here. I am sure it will intrigue all the readers. Quoting from the story, “Suddenly, the tape stopped, a cold sensation rose in his bowels, crawling upwards making him shudder. Something seized his mind, freezing his thoughts to a succinct absorbing standstill and then the feeling dissipated just as quickly as it had taken over him.”
6. THE LADY IN THE PUB: Nice plot. Starting was gripping. Pace was well maintained too. A little more mystery could have been added though. Quoting from the story, “As I finally managed to stand up on my wobbling feet, I turned to ask Aarusha’s mother one final question. My rickety feet gave away and I fell down again. There was no one behind me.”
“You see, the strangeness of my case is that now I no longer fear the invisible, I’m terrified by reality.”
- Jean Lorrain
7. A MOTHER’S LOVE: A story written with a deep emotional appeal. It actually made me smile and cry at the same time. It was not laced with hard core horror but on the contrary, it was just a light narrative. Simple, easy to understand language. Quoting from the story, “She cried and cried, her body shaking vigorously setting the swing in motion again and the tears trickled down her cheeks, raining on the grass where they blended with the dew. Suddenly, she felt a touch on her shoulder that broke the spell.”
8. RED BANGLES: A spine chilling story of a man, whose silent and unrequited love for a woman turns into a dangerous obsession, turning into horror! The ending left me in a gape. Even the pace is kept sooth for the readers. Quoting from the story, “Something stirred, I could see the shadowy figure lift its head and all of a sudden it turned towards me. I staggered back and fell onto the floor; the vase went crashing out of my hands. The bones in my body started chattering against each other, their jitters strangely sounded similar to the clinging of bangles.”
9. THE MARK OF THE BEAST: I liked this story. Also, from here on the anthology starts getting in its real form. Earlier than this, it was only light horror which was ruling the book, but the essential flavour begins emerging from here. This story also made me a little sad. You will know the reason once you read it. Quoting from the story, “The tent was flapping and shaking in the wind while frequent flashes of lightening shone through the fabric. She thought she saw the lightening illuminate a large shadow near their tent. She blinked and it was gone.”
10. THE MYSTERY LAKE: A history repeats itself kind of story! It gets slightly boring, I almost browsed through it. Otherwise it was a good narration. Quoting from the story, “Vikram had already discovered a few skulls and a bone on the edge of the lake above the black coloured rocks and the team was clustering around them, jabbering excitedly.”
11. POSSESSION: This left me in utter shock. I was tongue - tied and out rightly appalled by its plot and narration. I had goose bumps by the time I reached the end. A well written story of demonic spirits and is as gripping as The Exorcist or the likes of it. Quoting from the story, “She would see shadows following her whenever she used to go upstairs. Once she could swear she had seen the table move on its own in the kids’ room.”
12. UNFULFILLED DESIRES: An investigatory tale to help the ghost of a girl who is believed to have committed suicide. A marvel work that keeps you hooked till the end and you journey with the doctor to unveil the finer details. Quoting from the story, “The first thing that his senses took in was the complete absence of any kind of noise. A shroud of silence covered the area. Forget the people; Rajiv could not make out the presence of any bird or insects. He could not spot even a stray dog around.”
13. DREAM GIRL: A perfect ending for this anthology comes in the form of this story! A creepy story about a young man who collects beautiful body pieces of women to create his own dream girl. A story that makes you cringe and angry. It aggravates your senses! Quoting from the story, “I cast an appreciative glance at my creation, making my heart brim with joy. Unlike other men, I start admiring a woman’s body from below.”
“No, I’m not a dream; I’m your worst nightmare.”
- C.T. Todd
The authors have played well with the plotline for some of the short stories – they start on a theme that makes the story seem like the “same old’ ghost story” but then as you read the last page, a sudden twist breaks the reverie. This is quite good since the stories come out to be a witty combination of the expected as well as the unexpected. While for some stories this element of surprise in the end is their only redeeming point, for others the plotline just didn’t seem to work. The good part was since it was a collection of short stories, we can always move on to the next one within a few pages even if the previous one disappoints. The best and most innovative thing I found in this book is the prelude and epilogue... where the authors themselves become the characters. Overall, it qualifies as a nice anthology especially for the readers who enjoy such creepy stuff and tales of the paranormal world!
Rating: 3.5/5
This (Unbiased) book review is a part of "The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program". To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com. Thanks Nimi Vashi for giving me the opportunity to read such a nice book!
May 13, 2014
By Faraaz Kazi & Vivek Banerjee. Grade: B
Reviewing a collection of short stories is much more different from a novel, a task made all the more daunting a prospect when the book has been co-authored. There is only so much you can talk about; picking plots from individual short stories makes the review too disconnected, something common with such books. A book with two authors of distinctive writing styles, writing multiple short stories for one book; having a specific, particular opinion about the whole written piece is scarcely a viable option. Thus, one has no option but to judge based on whether the pros outweigh the cons, and fixate on the less transient aspects of it.
Speaking of the less transient aspects, the cover of the book does catch one’s eye (not necessarily in a good way). Most books in the horror genre tend to have a subtle cover, giving a glimpse of the feared unknown and leaving the rest to imagination. The Other Side tends to shatter all such paradigms with its Goosebumps-esque cover. The glowing eyes, walking dead, randomly placed gravestones, bats, skulls with glowing eyes, a creepy mansion and a full moon to boot, makes the book seemingly targeted at an audience in the lower age bracket. Of course, the red, dripping marker font and teasers like “…-the fear of the UNKNOWN!” doesn’t go a long way in redeeming that.
The collection of short stories within leaves a reviewer torn. A word to describe the book that comes to mind is ‘erratic’. Some of the stories are so perplexing, so bafflingly predictable that you’re left speechless because of the sheer lack of allure that a horror story’s suspense creates. Admittedly, I did read the book in broad daylight, yet it is highly doubtful that that was the reason for my criticism. A good tale of the horror category pulls the reader into the novel, making them view the story through the (quite possibly, soon to be dead) protagonist, and giving them many a sleepless night in return. Some short narratives in this book, however, make the reader feel like the author is giving them a ‘what-will-happen-is-so-obvious-let’s-just-mess-around-with-the-characters’ wink. If anything, they could only be good for the reader’s ego, making them go “Yeah, I guessed that ending four paragraphs ago”.
At times, it becomes hard to comprehend that the stories were written by the same two co-authors. With all the criticism against the stories (‘some’ of them, as I’ve repeatedly said), one mustn’t let the almost works of art be overshadowed. Some of the short stories are so remarkable, so impressive and so absolutely stunning that they leave you breathless by the time you get to the ultimate full stop. A notable short story is ‘Possession’, although having parts of it slightly resembling the movie Exorcist, practically entraps the reader into the story until it ends. I hate myself for kind of reducing the suspense a little, but the ending is so skillfully executed, it hits one like a cold, hard slap, and leaves an almost audible shiver running down the spine. The epilogue too is very well written.
The book might lack consistency, but it doesn’t lack the flavor. The authors have not bothered with the concept of happy endings whatsoever, which, for this genre, definitely working in their favor. It invites a love-hate relationship with the reader, making it more a matter of individual opinion than anything else. For the better short stories not being in a number as great as I’d have liked, I’d give the book a ‘B’.
Originally reviewed at Vaultofbooks.com, a close-knit community of fanatical readers. We are looking for perceptive readers who can write well, and we are eager to provide lots of free books in exchange for reviews. Shoot us a mail at contact@vaultofbooks.com
Reviewing a collection of short stories is much more different from a novel, a task made all the more daunting a prospect when the book has been co-authored. There is only so much you can talk about; picking plots from individual short stories makes the review too disconnected, something common with such books. A book with two authors of distinctive writing styles, writing multiple short stories for one book; having a specific, particular opinion about the whole written piece is scarcely a viable option. Thus, one has no option but to judge based on whether the pros outweigh the cons, and fixate on the less transient aspects of it.
Speaking of the less transient aspects, the cover of the book does catch one’s eye (not necessarily in a good way). Most books in the horror genre tend to have a subtle cover, giving a glimpse of the feared unknown and leaving the rest to imagination. The Other Side tends to shatter all such paradigms with its Goosebumps-esque cover. The glowing eyes, walking dead, randomly placed gravestones, bats, skulls with glowing eyes, a creepy mansion and a full moon to boot, makes the book seemingly targeted at an audience in the lower age bracket. Of course, the red, dripping marker font and teasers like “…-the fear of the UNKNOWN!” doesn’t go a long way in redeeming that.
The collection of short stories within leaves a reviewer torn. A word to describe the book that comes to mind is ‘erratic’. Some of the stories are so perplexing, so bafflingly predictable that you’re left speechless because of the sheer lack of allure that a horror story’s suspense creates. Admittedly, I did read the book in broad daylight, yet it is highly doubtful that that was the reason for my criticism. A good tale of the horror category pulls the reader into the novel, making them view the story through the (quite possibly, soon to be dead) protagonist, and giving them many a sleepless night in return. Some short narratives in this book, however, make the reader feel like the author is giving them a ‘what-will-happen-is-so-obvious-let’s-just-mess-around-with-the-characters’ wink. If anything, they could only be good for the reader’s ego, making them go “Yeah, I guessed that ending four paragraphs ago”.
At times, it becomes hard to comprehend that the stories were written by the same two co-authors. With all the criticism against the stories (‘some’ of them, as I’ve repeatedly said), one mustn’t let the almost works of art be overshadowed. Some of the short stories are so remarkable, so impressive and so absolutely stunning that they leave you breathless by the time you get to the ultimate full stop. A notable short story is ‘Possession’, although having parts of it slightly resembling the movie Exorcist, practically entraps the reader into the story until it ends. I hate myself for kind of reducing the suspense a little, but the ending is so skillfully executed, it hits one like a cold, hard slap, and leaves an almost audible shiver running down the spine. The epilogue too is very well written.
The book might lack consistency, but it doesn’t lack the flavor. The authors have not bothered with the concept of happy endings whatsoever, which, for this genre, definitely working in their favor. It invites a love-hate relationship with the reader, making it more a matter of individual opinion than anything else. For the better short stories not being in a number as great as I’d have liked, I’d give the book a ‘B’.
Originally reviewed at Vaultofbooks.com, a close-knit community of fanatical readers. We are looking for perceptive readers who can write well, and we are eager to provide lots of free books in exchange for reviews. Shoot us a mail at contact@vaultofbooks.com
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