Mrs Simon is Waiting and Other Stories

by Dinesh Pathak, Sneha Pathak (Translator)

This anthology is a collection of ten stories by Dinesh Pathak, all of them chosen from different story-collections published by the author. As such, these stories can be said to be representative of his entire oeuvre since they include his first published story (Yantrana, 1972, published here under the title Homecoming) as well as his stories published as latest as 2021, and give the reader an insight into his five-decade long journey as a writer. These stories all share the quality of being reader-friendly. They invite the reader with open arms and give them an insight into the wider world of their characters as well as the specific situations in which these characters find themselves. Dinesh Pathak’s stories are simple in their tone and their texture, yet they reveal a sharp insight into the human psyche and a complexity of themes which ensure that these stories and their characters stay with the readers long after they have finished reading. ******* *Author Introduction*: Dinesh Pathak was born in Uttarakhand in May 1950. He has been writing for close to fifty years, and his stories have appeared in all leading Hindi publications. He has published ten short-story collections and three novels. He has also edited an anthology. His stories have been translated into various Indian languages. He retired from the post of Associate Professor and now dedicates his full time to writing. **** *Translator Introduction*: Sneha Pathak has a PhD in English Literature and has taught at college and university level. She currently works as a freelance writer/translator. Her writings have appeared in various publications such as Muse India, Purple Pencil Project, The Wise Owl Magazine, The Curious Reader etc.

152 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Madhulika Liddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten of Hindi novelist and short story writer Dinesh Pathak’s stories, translated into English by his daughter Sneha. These stories are of everyday people, doing everyday things, leading mundane lives—planning a child’s birthday party just to keep up with the Joneses; going home after decades and finding that the world has changed; seeing young love and inadvertently looking back on one’s own romance… all so relatable, so easy to understand.

And yet, what Dinesh Pathak manages to do is show human nature in all its ways. The insight he provides into how people think and behave makes these stories immensely readable. The characters are three-dimensional, their dilemmas real; and Pathak’s descriptions, especially of his native Uttarakhand, are vivid, even if tantalizingly brief.

Interestingly, one aspect of almost all these stories that I appreciated was that Pathak does not spell out everything. The story is invariably brought to a point and left there, for the reader to gauge what’s happening, what’s going through a character’s mind. This trust in the reader’s emotional intelligence is what really impressed me.

A fine display of the craft of the short story.

[Krutika · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sneha asked if I wanted to read and review her debut translation work, I immediately jumped at the chance. Mrs Simon is Waiting and Other Stories includes collected short stories penned by Dinesh Pathak over the decades but what makes it special is his daughter’s debut attempt at translating his stories. It didn’t take me long to realise that I was going to adore this book. The stories, each different from the other captures and then dissects complex human behaviours in certain situations. I started reading this book early day before yesterday and before I knew it, I finished it the very same night. Apart from being breezy, it’s the simplicity of the stories that pulls you in.

It just took ten stories for me to become a fan of the author. How is it that he managed to take simple themes like hopelessness, sadness, loss, love and turn them into such beautiful tales? The very first story sets the mood for what to expect. But my favourite stories were probably Siyabar Babu and the Suitable Boy, Thanks Uncle and the title story. In Siyabar Babu we see a father, a clerk by profession, desperate to find grooms for his daughters. In Thanks, Uncle we see a father who ends up viewing his son differently while trying to arrange a matrimonial match for him. And in Mrs Simon, we see how material comforts end up taking precedence over moral responsibility.

The author has successfully managed to unmask the hidden faces of humans that peeks out every now and then. These are flawed and ordinary people like us, making it all the more easier for us to connect with them. The stories aren’t grand and feels like something that can happen well within our families or neighbourhood. Not once did I feel like I was reading a translated book and this is certainly a job well done by Sneha. There is nothing lost in translation and she gives full access for us to enter into her father’s world of stories. This is in no doubt one of the best short story collections I’ve read in a very long time.

Thank you Sneha for trusting me to read this book. My congratulations to you and your father. I hope I get to read more by you two ✨

[Kunal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine writing

[Savitha Vaidyanathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of 10 short stories written by Dinesh Pathak and translated from Hindi by his daughter Sneha Pathak was such a breeze to read. It is easily readable due to its simplicity in language but not with the themes it is based upon. The core emotions and desires of humans are the underlying theme in most of the stories. The characters and the situations are very relatable like something you have heard of in your family or with your neighbours. There is a father tirelessly looking for a groom for his daughter, a man returns to his hometown years later only to find it changed forever, a homeopathic doctor trying to find a heir to pass on his legacy. I loved 2 stories more than the others - The girl next door and Thanks, Uncle. These stories bring out the sad reality of how selfishness and money are more important than love and values. The best thing about this collection is the author’s understanding of the nuances of human emotions which inturn urges readers to think from his characters’ perspectives. The translation is simple, neat and so easy to read. I loved reading these stories more than what I expected.

[Sneha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Simon is Waiting and Other Stories is a brilliant collection of short stories that carries a strong essence of R.K Naryan.

If you are someone who is extremely fond of exploring hidden gems from Indian Literature you’d love reading this book!

In this collection of ten short stories the author has explored many flavours of a middle class lifestyle along with their ordinary struggles and emotional turmoils.

Through Pathak’s storytelling we meet a struggling writer who chooses his art over the money he really needs, a retired doctor who treats patients for free, an ungrateful man who is blessed with a friend he does not deserve, a daughter in law who doesn’t see eye to eye with her husband’s family and an old man who envies this generation of people expressing their love freely not quite knowing how it is taken for granted.

The most noteworthy thing about this book is that it does not try to be extra ordinary. It’s proudly plain and it’s plainness is oddly comforting.

[Priyadarshini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Simon is Waiting and Other Stories serves as a poignant reminder of simpler times and basic human struggles in the face of societal change. The narratives capture the essence of a transitioning India, where financial stability meant self-respect and dignity. Dinesh Pathak expertly weaves bittersweet symphonies through his characters, depicting their ordinary motivations and dilemmas with a nuanced touch of situational irony. The relatability of these stories is universal, whether evoking nostalgia in readers who have moved beyond those struggles or resonating deeply with those still entrenched in them. Each story stands as a testament to the complexities of human nature, portraying characters grappling with choices that are neither entirely right nor entirely wrong. The translation by Sneha Pathak adds an authentic layer, preserving the essence of the era and the characters' voices. Mrs. Simon is Waiting and Other Stories is a recommendation for anyone seeking a glimpse into the heart of ordinary lives.

[Janvi Santwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Book Review 📚 ✨Just finished reading "Mrs. Simon is Waiting and Other Stories" is a captivating anthology by Dinesh Pathak, thoughtfully translated by Sneha Pathak. This collection offers a glimpse into the diverse literary journey of the author, spanning over five decades. It includes stories ranging from his very first publication in 1972, now titled "Homecoming," to his most recent work from 2021. These stories serve as a literary time capsule, revealing the evolution of Dinesh Pathak as a writer.
✨Each story in this anthology is incredibly reader-friendly, drawing the audience into the intricate worlds of the characters and their unique situations. What sets Dinesh Pathak's writing apart is its simplicity in tone and texture, yet it conceals a profound understanding of the human psyche and a depth of thematic exploration. Long after you finish reading, these stories and their characters linger in your thoughts, leaving a lasting impact.

✨In a world saturated with literature, "Mrs. Simon is Waiting and Other Stories" stands out as a testament to Dinesh Pathak's storytelling prowess. If you're looking for a collection that offers both literary depth and approachability, this anthology is a must-read.