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Potluck: A Literary Collection of the Critique Group

Various

3.63 · Rating details · 16 ratings · 11 reviews

From the intimate to pure fantasy, from first person experiences to travelogues, Potluck is a collection of stories and reflections by a group of Mumbai-based writers from diverse backgrounds. Working mothers, single women, senior executives, a Catholic priest, a Hindu monk, and a writer from Slovenia, are all a part of the Critique Group. You might relive a fond or long-l ...more

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Paperback, First, 250 pages

Published January 2013 by BecomeShakespeare.com

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Feb 24, 2014 Shaivi rated it really liked it

When becomeshakespeare.com sent me this book for review, I didn't hold any great expectation from the book. For, of late, I have come across so many short story compilations that left my memory as soon as I finished reading them.

But, this book surely proved me wrong…

After a long long time, I enjoyed reading a short story collection this much. Without giving any more details, I suggest you grab the book, for each story is bound to leave its mark on your perspective towards life, as we know it.

So ...more

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Apr 18, 2014 Sundarraj Kaushik rated it liked it

Like a potluck dinner where many people bring in different food with different flavours, this book has different stories from different authors. Some of them are great, some mediocre and some one gets the feeling why was this published. Overall worth reading. Warning, some stories are really heart-rendering.

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Feb 10, 2014 Himali Kothari rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Review by Blogger Shaivi:

http://shaivikafunda.blogspot.in/2014... ...more

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May 13, 2014 VaultOfBooks rated it it was ok

Anthology. Grade: B

Short stories that have enticed me are very few in number. On multiple occasions, reading short stories have made me realize that not all authors can write a good short story, even if he/she has accomplished a lot in other fields of literature. This is mainly because short stories provide less avenues of convincing the readers purely because they need to be short. This means that the author needs to decide the right amount of content that doesn’t make the story long but at the Anthology. Grade: B

Short stories that have enticed me are very few in number. On multiple occasions, reading short stories have made me realize that not all authors can write a good short story, even if he/she has accomplished a lot in other fields of literature. This is mainly because short stories provide less avenues of convincing the readers purely because they need to be short. This means that the author needs to decide the right amount of content that doesn’t make the story long but at the same time, persuade the reader with this limited content so that the story is etched in the back of their mind for some time. And this is precisely why I am a little wary of short stories.

When I chose this little non-descript looking book, the prejudicial me expected this book to be just another set of mild and impact less stories that I wouldn’t remember after sometime. But boy, did it pleasantly surprise me with some really good stories! When you read the introduction on the back cover, you get to know that the writers are mainly working mothers, single women, senior executives, a Catholic priest, a monk from ISKCON, and a writer from Slovenia, who are all a part of the Critique Group. That’s some mix, right? And the book is a potpourri of different plots and characters too. That’s why, I am guessing, the name Potluck – for the variety in it.

With 26 short stories (two stories per author), ranging from a page to a dozen, the book will cater to your likings because the language is smooth, fluent and effortless while the narrative is free-flowing and excellent, irrespective of the authors. The 13 authors were members of Ms. Renu Balakrishnan’s creative writing workshop and are from thoroughly diverse backgrounds, which is evident in the stories. My personal favorites would be Aby Sam Thomas and Marija Sres, who through their definitive writing immediately caught my admiration. I found the story “Balloons”, the best in this book and would love to read more from the author Aby Sam Thomas. Similarly, “The Seamstress’s Story” left me pondering for quite some time after I finished the book. Most of the stories are relatable and instantly makes you take a liking to them. With 250 pages, you will also find this book a quick read.

This book has it all – drama, tragedy, romance and suspense! The saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” holds true here! Definitely pick this up if you are looking for an interesting weekend read.

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 ...more

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Apr 02, 2014 Tushar Rastogi rated it really liked it

My Review on Potluck :
---------------------------------

Potluck - Just finished reading this book.

A bouquet of thoughts framed into stories featuring amazing collection of soulful exaggerations, sensible, intriguing, engaging, full swing drama, emotions, love, pain, relationships, memoirs, peace, devotion, adoration and so much more...that seems just plain truth inspite of being imagination. A book full of variety from all aspects of life which makes it a good read with a enjoyable but kindda s My Review on Potluck :
---------------------------------

Potluck - Just finished reading this book.

A bouquet of thoughts framed into stories featuring amazing collection of soulful exaggerations, sensible, intriguing, engaging, full swing drama, emotions, love, pain, relationships, memoirs, peace, devotion, adoration and so much more...that seems just plain truth inspite of being imagination. A book full of variety from all aspects of life which makes it a good read with a enjoyable but kindda serious starting... of course the book is DAMN GOOD !!!... Finally everything starts to interwine as you start reading the book and you just go mesmerised until you finish the book.. you won't be able to keep the book down once you start it and thats a guarantee!!

I have just finished reading this book. Nicely woven basket of short stories. Seems totally realistic. Featurelessly narrated. Apposite characters. Enjoyable wordings. Congruous vocabulary. After reading the stories i am having a feel that this book may have a potential to create buzz among the masses as the stories are close to reality and rings a ting in readers mind by reminding of similar incedents that may have happened with him in past. I wanted to give a detailed storywise review but due to scarcity of time avoiding it. So i will be giving complete analysis of the book in one go.

The stories are really good. But just have one question in mind - why to start a book with an incident that ends up with such sad ending of blood and death ? Something jovial, happening, interesting, comical, and sparky must have been used to generate a fire in the minds of the reader and to develop excitement and interest in this book. Otherwise all other stories are quite decently told. Overall reading this book is a satisfying experience.

Some of my personal favourite stories that i enjoyed reading and liked most are :

1. Pink - My Favourite Colour by Bhavini Merchant Dayal
2. The Peas, the Peck and the Pickles by Bhavini Merchant Dayal
3. A Weekend at Aspect Hall by Janki Thackersey
4. Ma's Waiting by Renu Balakrishnan
5. The Lady on the Plane by Richa S. Chatterjee
6. The Reunion by Richa S. Chatterjee

I will rate this book 3.5/5 stars. Also, will recommend this book to everyone those who really enjoy reading astute non fiction about life and relations. ...more

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Apr 10, 2014 Tushar Rastogi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Potluck - Just finished reading this book.

A bouquet of thoughts framed into stories featuring amazing collection of soulful exaggerations, sensible, intriguing, engaging, full swing drama, emotions, love, pain, relationships, memoirs, peace, devotion, adoration and so much more...that seems just plain truth inspite of being imagination. A book full of variety from all aspects of life which makes it a good read with a enjoyable but kindda serious starting... of course the book is DAMN GOOD !!!.. Potluck - Just finished reading this book.

A bouquet of thoughts framed into stories featuring amazing collection of soulful exaggerations, sensible, intriguing, engaging, full swing drama, emotions, love, pain, relationships, memoirs, peace, devotion, adoration and so much more...that seems just plain truth inspite of being imagination. A book full of variety from all aspects of life which makes it a good read with a enjoyable but kindda serious starting... of course the book is DAMN GOOD !!!... Finally everything starts to interwine as you start reading the book and you just go mesmerised until you finish the book.. you won't be able to keep the book down once you start it and thats a guarantee!!

I have just finished reading this book. Nicely woven basket of short stories. Seems totally realistic. Featurelessly narrated. Apposite characters. Enjoyable wordings. Congruous vocabulary. After reading the stories i am having a feel that this book may have a potential to create buzz among the masses as the stories are close to reality and rings a ting in readers mind by reminding of similar incedents that may have happened with him in past. I wanted to give a detailed storywise review but due to scarcity of time avoiding it. So i will be giving complete analysis of the book in one go.

The stories are really good. But just have one question in mind - why to start a book with an incident that ends up with such sad ending of blood and death ? Something jovial, happening, interesting, comical, and sparky must have been used to generate a fire in the minds of the reader and to develop excitement and interest in this book. Otherwise all other stories are quite decently told. Overall reading this book is a satisfying experience.

Some of my personal favourite stories that i enjoyed reading and liked most are :

1. Pink - My Favourite Colour by Bhavini Merchant Dayal
2. The Peas, the Peck and the Pickles by Bhavini Merchant Dayal
3. A Weekend at Aspect Hall by Janki Thackersey
4. Ma's Waiting by Renu Balakrishnan
5. The Lady on the Plane by Richa S. Chatterjee
6. The Reunion by Richa S. Chatterjee

I will rate this book 3.5/5 stars. Also, will recommend this book to everyone those who really enjoy reading astute non fiction about life and relations. ...more

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Aug 30, 2014 Girish rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: early-reviews-giveaways, early-reviews

This rainbow collection of short stories/reflections is something the authors can be proud of. Potluck is the outcome of the critique group - people from different backgrounds who came together for a course in Creative writing and started to work on their shared passion.

26 unconventional short stories/reflections of varying lengths ranging from one side to 30 pages give the reader a casatta of words. There is no common thread between the stories and the moods of the story are more a reflection ...more

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Apr 20, 2014 Madhusmita rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed-on-request

The book is a bouquet of 26 very different stories from 13 authors from different walks of life.Just like a potluck meal, where one gets to taste a variety of flavours, in this book too one gets to enjoy stories from various viewpoints on life reflecting the author’s experiences. Some of them are great, some average while a few ones I am not quite sure what to make out of them.
Read full review here http://dreamzandclouds.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/potluck-a-literary-collection-of-the-critique-grou ...more

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Mar 27, 2014 Sundeep Supertramp rated it liked it

Shelves: anthology, collection-of-stories, indian-contemporary

3.5

The original review of this book is posted on my blog...

To read the original review of this book, click here... ...more

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Sep 06, 2014 Hemantkumar Jain rated it liked it

A nice collection of short stories with such varied emotions and styles that its like having an Indian Thali for lunch with bite sized portions of a wide variety of interesting tasty items ...

An interesting read !!

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May 08, 2014 Sonal rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

http://storageofmind.blogspot.in/2014... ...more

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About Various

Various

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Various is the correct author for any book with multiple unknown authors, and is acceptable for books with multiple known authors, especially if not all are known or the list is very long (over 50).

If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.

Note: WorldCat is an excellent res ...more