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Pitfalls and Parachutes
Pitfalls and Parachutes is a collection of fifteen short stories. The stories are youthful and lively. Entertainment is at the core of each of the stories. Watch out for exciting endings. A glimpse of the 1. The protagonist's decision to help a lost lady might cost him his job. 2. Television news becomes a reality in the life of Cyrus. 3. Pramanik's reputation is at an all-time low. Someone can make it worse. 4. Can anything other than ragging make one's first day of college hell? 5. Why does an anonymous donation trouble Kanha so much that he hires goons to hurt an old man? 6. Deepak decides to overcome his superstitions; will they leave him so easily? 7. Michael sets out to fulfill his wife's last wish. What's his last wish? 8. Can a kick change somebody's life? 9. Does Sumit land a job in spite of a disastrous interview? No recommendation is entertained. 10. Kanchan has to choose between her lover and husband. Her son holds a dark secret. 11. Rishi has vowed never to fly kites again. What if he breaks it? 12. Valentine's Day and fanatics ultimatum. Will love Blossom?
182 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2013
About the author
Durgesh Shastri
12 books24 followersDurgesh Shastri is a computer networks engineer currently working as an asst. professor in GNDEC, Bidar. A social worker, his NGO is actively involved in spreading computer and social awareness in rural areas. His first book, 12 strokes of life, has been critically acclaimed by many professional reviewers and readers alike while his short stories have featured in 5 anthologies in 2014 alone. He also has a poem to his credit, published in an international poetry book when cupid struck its arrow, which was reviewed by the famous Indian actor, Aamir Khan. An alumnus of the prestigious PES university and RV college of engineering, Bangalore, Durgesh has always been a voracious reader and the works of Sidney Sheldon and Jeffrey Archer have motivated him as a writer. He has reviewed several books online and continues to try his hand at creative writing during his spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 20, 2013
Book Review of "Pitfalls & Parachutes" by Durgesh Shastri..
A Short Story Collection... published by Partridge Books.. 2013
An interesting mix of stories - covering various genres - and of course many with a twist in the tale: love, crime, family, academics - the setting mix is wide!!
More enticing is that they tread the world around us - the simplicity of the narration (in most stories its in the first person) involves the reader from the word Go...
A delectable buffet is on offer - something for everyone - and the book is given a 4.5 Star Rating out of a maximum of Five
Go ahead.. it'd be an investment.. as many stories are eminently re-readable... :-)
~Harsh Rai Puri
A Short Story Collection... published by Partridge Books.. 2013
An interesting mix of stories - covering various genres - and of course many with a twist in the tale: love, crime, family, academics - the setting mix is wide!!
More enticing is that they tread the world around us - the simplicity of the narration (in most stories its in the first person) involves the reader from the word Go...
A delectable buffet is on offer - something for everyone - and the book is given a 4.5 Star Rating out of a maximum of Five
Go ahead.. it'd be an investment.. as many stories are eminently re-readable... :-)
~Harsh Rai Puri
October 8, 2013
Simple, thoughtful and entertaining, Pitfalls and Parachutes by Durgesh Shastri is a pleasant and delightful read for readers of all age groups and lovers of fiction genre. As short stories, they serve the purpose of letting the reader revel in the pleasure of a time well spent.
Read the TIF Review - Pitfalls and Parachutes by Durgesh Shastri Book Review
Read the TIF Review - Pitfalls and Parachutes by Durgesh Shastri Book Review
September 19, 2013
I am not a great fan of reading anthologies because there's something that does not allow me to get attracted towards short stories. Though I myself write short stories on this space. :-) In the commercial books that are getting published these days, I remember that I have read only one anthology- Uff Ye Emotions which I felt was very repetitive. Though it did fine but other anthologies- One by Ravinder Singh and another by Grapevine India did excellent. Hence it can be easily said that anthologies is a craze among people in the same way as full-fledged novels are. I am done reading "Pitfalls and Parachutes" just now which has 15 short stories. This 168-pages novel is written by a debutante- Durgesh Shastri. Its published by Partridge, which is a unit under Penguin that publishes self-published books.
Synopsis:
Author:
Durgesh Shastri is currently working as an assistant professor in GND Engineering College, Bidar. He completed his engineering from PESIT, Bangalore. Later, he joined RVCE, Bangalore, and completed his masters in computer networks engineering. He runs a NGO that is aimed at providing computer awareness in rural areas.
Coming to the author, I would say that he has maintained the respectability of the book by writing stories that has substance and is meant for every age group. There is no raunchy or nasty stuff that can shame someone. You can gift it to an 8-years-old boy and to a 65-years-old retired uncle too. Every story is written with a meaning- either direct or hidden. But author has definitely tried to keep all the stories as half-ending or didn't declare as to how the story ended or character solaced. His sole purpose is to make his readers guess and interpret rest of the part. He has tried to make us laugh but here, I would say that its only the children below 18 who might find many situations funny. I found some areas silly but in all, I would say that author has attempted a very nice anthology which will find its place in every short story lover's shelf.
The first story is quite funny. I loved reading it. After that, 2-3 stories had nothing according to me but as soon as the 5th chapter comes, since then every story is written with such a beautiful concept and goal that it entertains you throughout. Neither any story is highly pragmatic nor highly depressing. All are balanced which makes the story look genuine and real; as author claims that all are inspired from his real life experiences or observations. Author has also decided it right as to which story would come where. And hence, as the climax keeps getting closer, the story keeps getting interesting and when you close the book, you close it with a smile. In short, rather than telling which are my favorite stories and which are not, I would ask you to purchase and read it yourself otherwise you, readers, will start reading with a mindset. But I can definitely say that at least 11 stories out of 15 will be liked. For the rest 4, let's warn the writer to rectify the errors in his next book. :-)
Thanks.
ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
Synopsis:
Author:
Durgesh Shastri is currently working as an assistant professor in GND Engineering College, Bidar. He completed his engineering from PESIT, Bangalore. Later, he joined RVCE, Bangalore, and completed his masters in computer networks engineering. He runs a NGO that is aimed at providing computer awareness in rural areas.
Coming to the author, I would say that he has maintained the respectability of the book by writing stories that has substance and is meant for every age group. There is no raunchy or nasty stuff that can shame someone. You can gift it to an 8-years-old boy and to a 65-years-old retired uncle too. Every story is written with a meaning- either direct or hidden. But author has definitely tried to keep all the stories as half-ending or didn't declare as to how the story ended or character solaced. His sole purpose is to make his readers guess and interpret rest of the part. He has tried to make us laugh but here, I would say that its only the children below 18 who might find many situations funny. I found some areas silly but in all, I would say that author has attempted a very nice anthology which will find its place in every short story lover's shelf.
The first story is quite funny. I loved reading it. After that, 2-3 stories had nothing according to me but as soon as the 5th chapter comes, since then every story is written with such a beautiful concept and goal that it entertains you throughout. Neither any story is highly pragmatic nor highly depressing. All are balanced which makes the story look genuine and real; as author claims that all are inspired from his real life experiences or observations. Author has also decided it right as to which story would come where. And hence, as the climax keeps getting closer, the story keeps getting interesting and when you close the book, you close it with a smile. In short, rather than telling which are my favorite stories and which are not, I would ask you to purchase and read it yourself otherwise you, readers, will start reading with a mindset. But I can definitely say that at least 11 stories out of 15 will be liked. For the rest 4, let's warn the writer to rectify the errors in his next book. :-)
Thanks.
ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
October 23, 2013
A collection of 15 short stories with a lot of daily life occurrences covered it in a wider perspective.
Some of the stories are wonderful in narration and their plot line while some of them are weak and don't tend to excite the reader.
Over all it's a good mixture of human emotions and exploration of few new areas of human psyche through this book.
The stories will baffle you, make you smile, make you feel determined, cry along with it and in the end teach you something too.
Some of the stories are wonderful in narration and their plot line while some of them are weak and don't tend to excite the reader.
Over all it's a good mixture of human emotions and exploration of few new areas of human psyche through this book.
The stories will baffle you, make you smile, make you feel determined, cry along with it and in the end teach you something too.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews