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Kismetwali and Other Stories
Set against the backdrop of modern-day India, Kismetwali and Other Stories places the reader amidst circumstances that transcend place, purse and prestige. This octet of novellas offers a rare glimpse into the parallel lives of the privileged and penniless, converging on those astonishing moments when free will intercepts fate and the rigid divide between social classes is rendered insignificant. Each narrative showcases walas and walis of the working class - the common yet essential purveyors of goods and providers of service - as empowered individuals who take centre stage.
The shavewala, a humble barber, becomes an intimate collaborator in a love story that spans the seven seas; the malishwali, a long-serving masseuse, conceals her mistress’s shocking secret while offering a gift of revelation to another; the kismetwali, a clairvoyant of unremarkable pedigree, solicits cosmic benefaction for her affluent clients. These socially eclipsed characters are the true protagonists in every story.
The shavewala, a humble barber, becomes an intimate collaborator in a love story that spans the seven seas; the malishwali, a long-serving masseuse, conceals her mistress’s shocking secret while offering a gift of revelation to another; the kismetwali, a clairvoyant of unremarkable pedigree, solicits cosmic benefaction for her affluent clients. These socially eclipsed characters are the true protagonists in every story.
- GenresShort Stories
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 28, 2022
A story collection that is more than it appears
Reetika Khanna’s Kismetwali is a collection of stories portraying the life of Indians and the Indian American diaspora. While this is well covered territory, Khanna finds ample ground to tell the stories of Indian origin people in ways that are often not told. One thing which helps is thr structure. Khanna employs the wala case in Hindi (used basically to mean a person who does this or that when attached to a noun. A chaiwala is a person who makes and sells tea. A mithaivala is a person who makes and sells sweets; like that) to give each of her stories a name and general plot. How Khanna subverts the expectations of each story is really brilliant. Her characters are truly a breath of fresh air, as is her storytelling mind.
Reetika Khanna’s Kismetwali is a collection of stories portraying the life of Indians and the Indian American diaspora. While this is well covered territory, Khanna finds ample ground to tell the stories of Indian origin people in ways that are often not told. One thing which helps is thr structure. Khanna employs the wala case in Hindi (used basically to mean a person who does this or that when attached to a noun. A chaiwala is a person who makes and sells tea. A mithaivala is a person who makes and sells sweets; like that) to give each of her stories a name and general plot. How Khanna subverts the expectations of each story is really brilliant. Her characters are truly a breath of fresh air, as is her storytelling mind.
January 4, 2020
The best contemporary Indian fiction work I have read since Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies. This collection is more than some stories soulfully and stylishly told. There are characters who make you want to care about them and more importantly about yourself as you find little pieces of your life in the lives of the invisible army of the waalas and waalis that surround the existence of modern Indian middle class urbanites. There is longing, sorrow, love (unrequited and fulfilled); and there are beautiful gossamer threads linking all these characters arcs together in a chaotically harmonious way that is so intrinsically Indian. The story that touched me most was Kismetwala and the agony of a strong woman losing what is most precious to her bit by solitary bit. Pick this up and devour it like I did. You will not be sorry.
October 16, 2020
Beautifully evocative writing. The author has a good grasp of the many complex layers of society that India comprises, and sets about weaving the multiple strands into her stories using richly descriptive language. A few storylines were a tad far-fetched, but overall a wonderful book that allows one to experience the hustle and bustle of India's teeming cities and towns.
September 8, 2015
Its just fantastic. Way beyond my expectations.
The stories are evocative of every Indian's growing up years. The stories speak of the 'invisible' yet ever so important people in our daily lives, without who, we wouldn't survive. The 'kaamwali' (house help), the 'phoolwali' (the flower girl) and so many others, brought back fond memories of my childhood and also a new found respect of these wonderful people who come into our lives to help us deal with these daily chores.
Reetika has woven these stories so deftly and intricately, each one seamlessly merging into the other.
A recommended read for all who want to know India but not through the clichéd images of cows on the roads, camels and snake charmers but through the eyes of the common man (woman). For all of us, who have grown up with these 'walas' and 'walis', to see them through a different perspective.
The stories are evocative of every Indian's growing up years. The stories speak of the 'invisible' yet ever so important people in our daily lives, without who, we wouldn't survive. The 'kaamwali' (house help), the 'phoolwali' (the flower girl) and so many others, brought back fond memories of my childhood and also a new found respect of these wonderful people who come into our lives to help us deal with these daily chores.
Reetika has woven these stories so deftly and intricately, each one seamlessly merging into the other.
A recommended read for all who want to know India but not through the clichéd images of cows on the roads, camels and snake charmers but through the eyes of the common man (woman). For all of us, who have grown up with these 'walas' and 'walis', to see them through a different perspective.
September 11, 2015
It is in fact amazingly written. Then language has a simplicity minced with some small town idiosyncrasies and baked with an iota of modernism. It is a lovely memorabilia collection. I have no doubt that the writer must pursue writing further.
December 22, 2020
A unique, surprisingly hard hitting collection of stories from the lives of ordinary people who are part of the life support system in almost every person's life.
The stories bring shock, happiness, sorrow and a gamut of emotions which I had not expected as I started reading.
The language is excellent with refreshingly new metaphors being put to use. The stories are about the sweeper, the taxi driver, the maalishwali all people who make or become the part of any Indian family.
Will not give anything about the plots as you can enter the world and enjoy them.
Overall well written, new, enjoyable and keeps the reader waiting for the final punch, and believe me the punches hit perfectly where it it is supposed to.
The stories bring shock, happiness, sorrow and a gamut of emotions which I had not expected as I started reading.
The language is excellent with refreshingly new metaphors being put to use. The stories are about the sweeper, the taxi driver, the maalishwali all people who make or become the part of any Indian family.
Will not give anything about the plots as you can enter the world and enjoy them.
Overall well written, new, enjoyable and keeps the reader waiting for the final punch, and believe me the punches hit perfectly where it it is supposed to.
September 8, 2024
For some bizarre reason, I find myself wanting to compare Reetika Khanna Nijhawan’s collection of eight short stories to the master of southern gothic short fiction, Flannery O’Connor. Obviously different women from a different time and place but perhaps it is their similar ability to weave an engrossing tale that features ordinary people going about their lives…sometimes with twists and turns that are unexpected and thought provoking. I also enjoyed the clever way that a character featured in one story might show up again as a supporting character in another story. It was like an opportunity to see another side of that character’s story. This collection transported me to a different world full of lifestyles, words (thank goodness for the glossary in the back), colors and fragrances that are foreign and yet seem familiar at the same time. I guess I’m a ‘fanwali’!
July 20, 2019
Kismetwali and Other Stories by Reetika Khanna Nijhawan is a book which has endearing stories of the significant people in our daily lives who go unnoticed - the world of the underclass, the world of the "have-nots". The tales of the individuals, known and acknowledged their whole lives mostly with the suffix "wala" or "wali" associated with their jobs, who otherwise toil and trudge in oblivion. All the stories and characters are effortlessly and beautifully interrelated. It is a distinct collection of short stories and a quick and satisfying read.
October 17, 2020
Sueprbbbb book!!! Brilliantly written, well-knited stories. One of the best reads of 2020.
November 24, 2016
Amazing Collection of short stories. Though i love all of them but my favorite is 'Malishwali'. This collection is extremely affectionate, heart touching, warm and exceptionally well written. I was specifically amazed with the use of vocabulary used and the writing style. One doesn't often come across such great vocabulary usage in contemporary writing.
The stories are short yet seems to be interlinked to each other and described very soulfully. These represents the small parts of our daily lives we live in this mechanical world and relate to various people in and around us.
One more observation, most of the stories had a sorrow ending, but that takes a backseat when you see the fabulous way these stories have been presented. These will remain very close to my heart.
The stories are short yet seems to be interlinked to each other and described very soulfully. These represents the small parts of our daily lives we live in this mechanical world and relate to various people in and around us.
One more observation, most of the stories had a sorrow ending, but that takes a backseat when you see the fabulous way these stories have been presented. These will remain very close to my heart.
May 29, 2016
A special and unique collection of stories that display both the resilient yet often flawed lives of the Indian working class. I especially enjoyed how the protagonists, despite their actions sometimes being dishonorable at best, still found ways to make their voice heard in a society that so often tries to keep them voiceless. It's 8 different responses to being considered a 'have-not,' and how each character develops relationships with those in the upper rungs of Indian society makes the book something to remember.
December 29, 2015
Lovely refreshing stories; very well interconnected yet, each having its unique character.
May 8, 2016
Quite enjoyable short stories with interesting characters and inventive plots that are connected.
July 13, 2016
Beautifully written, fascinating characters, recommending to everyone.
June 2, 2017
A book comprising of soulful endearing stories with a lot of images being portrayed through words and has a strong feel for character.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews