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The Legacy of Nothing
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- GenresContemporary
126 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 22, 2019
The book is a collection of 10 short stories written in a poetry format. The stories cover a wide array of topics like that of the spirit of migrants trying to make a living in foreign soil away from their homeland or a struggling musician who is ready to do anything to be famous even if he has to use a rape incident to do so. Other stories indulge in stories like the journey of a man who changes his sex & what led to his decision, or of people who become friends via Facebook & what happens when they meet. Apart from these, there are six more stories all exploring different ideas.
Read the full review on Just Another Bookaholic
Read the full review on Just Another Bookaholic
January 27, 2019
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The Legacy of Nothing was a simple and short read. Primarily about:
1. a struggling musician who is ready to ride on any cause for fame
2. a girl in love with a man who makes her a part of a new age role play (what? what does this even mean?
3. a phoney who signs a book translation deal with the world's greatest author
4. a story of Americanization that has a rippling effect on a girl in Delhi
5. a Maoist from Nepal who finds solace in a sip of Coca Cola in Delhi
6. a victim of identity politics who is forced by fate to change his sex (is he, really?)
7. a town caught in identity crisis makes a hero out of a reality TV show contestant
8. an online romance that climaxes into a reality that is nothing short of gallows humor
9. a music teacher from a reputed school whose life begins and ends in a trash bin
10. a boy who takes his life for granted meets with an inconclusive result at a film subtitling firm
Reading all of this, I sit and wonder why on earth did I even pick up this book. It is far too pretentious for my sake, far too demeaning and just, too negative. Things happen that do not make sense and I'm just left wondering what on earth is even going on. I guess that is what happens when the blurb and the cover do not reveal anything.
Technically, this book is a poetry book. Or rather a collection of stories written in the form of a poetry, but not for a single second did I feel that way. First off, none of these stories were as close to showing "the eggshell of contemporary existence" as the blurb claimed. They were rather too strange and definitely downgrading to humanity as a whole. Now someone might say that such things probably do happen but I am not aware of them. What I have to say in that reply is this: "Yes, such things probably do happen. What degraded everything for me was the author's writing style."
Now, like I said, this book has no poetic lines. They were just sentences that even I (and I'm no poet) would use in my assignments. Just sentences broken down into paragraphs where each sentence is a different paragraph.
So you might see why this book bothered me and why it is a 2 star for me, don't you?
The Legacy of Nothing was a simple and short read. Primarily about:
1. a struggling musician who is ready to ride on any cause for fame
2. a girl in love with a man who makes her a part of a new age role play (what? what does this even mean?
3. a phoney who signs a book translation deal with the world's greatest author
4. a story of Americanization that has a rippling effect on a girl in Delhi
5. a Maoist from Nepal who finds solace in a sip of Coca Cola in Delhi
6. a victim of identity politics who is forced by fate to change his sex (is he, really?)
7. a town caught in identity crisis makes a hero out of a reality TV show contestant
8. an online romance that climaxes into a reality that is nothing short of gallows humor
9. a music teacher from a reputed school whose life begins and ends in a trash bin
10. a boy who takes his life for granted meets with an inconclusive result at a film subtitling firm
Reading all of this, I sit and wonder why on earth did I even pick up this book. It is far too pretentious for my sake, far too demeaning and just, too negative. Things happen that do not make sense and I'm just left wondering what on earth is even going on. I guess that is what happens when the blurb and the cover do not reveal anything.
Technically, this book is a poetry book. Or rather a collection of stories written in the form of a poetry, but not for a single second did I feel that way. First off, none of these stories were as close to showing "the eggshell of contemporary existence" as the blurb claimed. They were rather too strange and definitely downgrading to humanity as a whole. Now someone might say that such things probably do happen but I am not aware of them. What I have to say in that reply is this: "Yes, such things probably do happen. What degraded everything for me was the author's writing style."
Now, like I said, this book has no poetic lines. They were just sentences that even I (and I'm no poet) would use in my assignments. Just sentences broken down into paragraphs where each sentence is a different paragraph.
So you might see why this book bothered me and why it is a 2 star for me, don't you?
May 2, 2019
The Legacy of Nothing is a short yet powerful read on how certain people leave behind nothing, their struggles are rendered worthless and that, they are pushed to one corner by the people in their life as well as the world.
The prose is lyrical, and the author brings us themes like addressing social issues to gain fame, being thrown out of One's Own motherland due to revolution and violence (Gorkha Uprising), a case of mistaken Identity and the simple joys of life amidst difficult choices.
And the illustrations by @yukoart is the cherry on top. Loved them.
The prose is lyrical, and the author brings us themes like addressing social issues to gain fame, being thrown out of One's Own motherland due to revolution and violence (Gorkha Uprising), a case of mistaken Identity and the simple joys of life amidst difficult choices.
And the illustrations by @yukoart is the cherry on top. Loved them.
February 13, 2019
Book Review of The Legacy of Nothing by Manoj Pandey
The Legacy of Nothing by Manoj Pandey is a collection of 10 Short Stories. Each story soaked in the essence of poetry speaks to you in a way that every cell in your body shivers in pure ecstasy of its emotions.
Page Count: 126 pages
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
Publication Date: January 20th, 2019
As each tale is plucked out of the darkness of human emotions and dipped in the restlessness of modern living. And to give company to these beautiful tales are the art of Yuko Shimizu. These illustrations are emotions unto itself. Beautiful and profound.
Manoj in his book talks about: Love at first virtual sight, but pure in emotions, the pain of Rape yet it is the only way of survival, Sacrifice of a husband, Depression, lust of a man that ruins him and many more such stories that will a huge impact in your heart.
With his poetic narration, Manoj has won my heart. This book moved me in a very deep way. I was so overwhelmed with these stories that I had to close the book midway and let those words sink in deep.
As Prajwal Parajuly so aptly said in just a few words:
A book for the Twenty-first-century reader – Pithy, groundbreaking, and thoroughly entertaining.
Sharing with you a few lines of two tales of love, Pain, and survival.
1.
Inadequacy (Love at first virtual sight, but pure in emotions)
It started with a Picture
On Facebook.
A tiny thumbnail,
On the mobile screen.
Sharp features
Objective beauty.
(Not in the eyes of the beholder beauty)
Absolute genius
No explanation needed
Dexterous,
Sublime,
Pitch perfect in its sharpness
2.
Enjoy Coca Cola (This had me in tears…. I had to re-read the poem because of its sheer emotions)
Circa 2008
The war was over.
The King was dead.
History had been erased;
To be written all over again.
In Delhi…
Maya had just arrived.
An 18 year from Nepal,
Who had fled from her village,
Ravaged by rebels.
She had to traffic herself:
Sex for food.
Sex for shelter
Sex for survival…
Capturing human emotions with soulful poetic proses, these short stories will enchant you and hold you in its emotional throes.
My Rating: 5/5 stars
The Legacy of Nothing by Manoj Pandey is a collection of 10 Short Stories. Each story soaked in the essence of poetry speaks to you in a way that every cell in your body shivers in pure ecstasy of its emotions.
Page Count: 126 pages
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
Publication Date: January 20th, 2019
As each tale is plucked out of the darkness of human emotions and dipped in the restlessness of modern living. And to give company to these beautiful tales are the art of Yuko Shimizu. These illustrations are emotions unto itself. Beautiful and profound.
Manoj in his book talks about: Love at first virtual sight, but pure in emotions, the pain of Rape yet it is the only way of survival, Sacrifice of a husband, Depression, lust of a man that ruins him and many more such stories that will a huge impact in your heart.
With his poetic narration, Manoj has won my heart. This book moved me in a very deep way. I was so overwhelmed with these stories that I had to close the book midway and let those words sink in deep.
As Prajwal Parajuly so aptly said in just a few words:
A book for the Twenty-first-century reader – Pithy, groundbreaking, and thoroughly entertaining.
Sharing with you a few lines of two tales of love, Pain, and survival.
1.
Inadequacy (Love at first virtual sight, but pure in emotions)
It started with a Picture
On Facebook.
A tiny thumbnail,
On the mobile screen.
Sharp features
Objective beauty.
(Not in the eyes of the beholder beauty)
Absolute genius
No explanation needed
Dexterous,
Sublime,
Pitch perfect in its sharpness
2.
Enjoy Coca Cola (This had me in tears…. I had to re-read the poem because of its sheer emotions)
Circa 2008
The war was over.
The King was dead.
History had been erased;
To be written all over again.
In Delhi…
Maya had just arrived.
An 18 year from Nepal,
Who had fled from her village,
Ravaged by rebels.
She had to traffic herself:
Sex for food.
Sex for shelter
Sex for survival…
Capturing human emotions with soulful poetic proses, these short stories will enchant you and hold you in its emotional throes.
My Rating: 5/5 stars
April 21, 2019
As seen on my blog KALEIDOSCOPIC NERD
*A physical copy was provided to me by the publishers. This review is in no way influenced by that fact. Thank you Pan Macmillan India.*
I recently read this book which is basically a prose in poem format and wanted to share my thoughts on it. What I’m going to write down will differ from the thoughts of many people who I follow and whose reviews I trust, and who have loved this book.
These type of books are quite difficult for me to rate. I’ve mixed feelings about this one and I’m forced to shut it inside a box and label it with the number of stars it deserves according to me.
I’ve never been a poem person as such but nonetheless, I’ve enjoyed Wordsworth, Keats etc. but haven’t been able to appreciate the new age poetry by Rupi Kaur, Amanda Lovelace, Atticus and many others; it just feels like prose and I don’t find anything great about it. Some just feel like Hallmark cards tbh 🤷♀️.
All the write ups revolve around the common man and some around the Nepalese community, which has been stereotyped and marginalized. The poems are quite dark and open ended. It is satirical take on the modern society.
Two of my favourite were Decay and Pretty As Fuck. Decay revolved around the themes of getting money and fame and exploiting however sick something is, just for the sake of selling whatever sells. Pretty As Fuck’s ending was so relevant and disturbing.
One of the best things were the illustrations by Yuko Shimizu. They were just so beautiful and I loved the bright and vivid colours.
You really need to read the poems slowly or at least twice to let them sink in and get their meaning. They do compel you to stop and think.
So, if you are a lover of new age poetry and enjoy something dark, you’ll enjoy this book for sure!
*A physical copy was provided to me by the publishers. This review is in no way influenced by that fact. Thank you Pan Macmillan India.*
I recently read this book which is basically a prose in poem format and wanted to share my thoughts on it. What I’m going to write down will differ from the thoughts of many people who I follow and whose reviews I trust, and who have loved this book.
These type of books are quite difficult for me to rate. I’ve mixed feelings about this one and I’m forced to shut it inside a box and label it with the number of stars it deserves according to me.
I’ve never been a poem person as such but nonetheless, I’ve enjoyed Wordsworth, Keats etc. but haven’t been able to appreciate the new age poetry by Rupi Kaur, Amanda Lovelace, Atticus and many others; it just feels like prose and I don’t find anything great about it. Some just feel like Hallmark cards tbh 🤷♀️.
All the write ups revolve around the common man and some around the Nepalese community, which has been stereotyped and marginalized. The poems are quite dark and open ended. It is satirical take on the modern society.
Two of my favourite were Decay and Pretty As Fuck. Decay revolved around the themes of getting money and fame and exploiting however sick something is, just for the sake of selling whatever sells. Pretty As Fuck’s ending was so relevant and disturbing.
One of the best things were the illustrations by Yuko Shimizu. They were just so beautiful and I loved the bright and vivid colours.
You really need to read the poems slowly or at least twice to let them sink in and get their meaning. They do compel you to stop and think.
So, if you are a lover of new age poetry and enjoy something dark, you’ll enjoy this book for sure!
April 13, 2019
So. Now. I know why I don't read poetry.
It doesn't make sense to me.
Nothing against this one but in general.
BUT HEY FOLKS I WAS ALL FOR THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS BOOK. Just beautiful.
It doesn't make sense to me.
Nothing against this one but in general.
BUT HEY FOLKS I WAS ALL FOR THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS BOOK. Just beautiful.
February 5, 2019
The Legacy of Nothing is quite the only legacy of people that are touted as "nothing" in their lives either by fate or their own actions.
This book is a collection of 10 short stories, I'd say, in the form of prose. Each story presented as a poem-in-prose reflects the life of an anonymous person trying to make it big in life in their own way but end up being a nobody.
The overture gives you the exact synopsis of each story in just about one line and a few of them will exceed your expectation with the respective delivery.
They start off as impactful and just, while it gets bitter and mysterious by the middle and it leaves you with a sense of false understanding, that you know these characters and you have seen them around but in no way can you ever understand their nothingness unless you have experienced the same.
By the end, it all feels like a sarcastic comment on our society. The way we label certain people amongst us as non-achievers and undeserving of a legacy of their own. It almost comes as a satire to the society and the title supports it completely.
From a musician finding inspiration for his next gig and landing upon "infant rape", to a mystery of man and a woman with similar troubling pasts coming together in "Inadequacy", the bitter truth of the publication industry, a man who is forced to change his identity, including his gender, for family and sustenance in "Whatnot", "Enjoy Coca-cola will leave you with fizzy end, an online romance in "Pretty as Fuck" definite to give you an OH-Wow! chuckle, and how companies literally take everything from you leaving nothing behind.
Manoj Pandey's breakthrough with this kind of writing and presentation may only encourage more to attempt a feat like this. For the first of its kinds, it is definitely worth a read!
AND, not to forget, the STUNNING illustrations by Yuko Shimizu made it a work of art. Absolutely gorgeous book.
This book is a collection of 10 short stories, I'd say, in the form of prose. Each story presented as a poem-in-prose reflects the life of an anonymous person trying to make it big in life in their own way but end up being a nobody.
The overture gives you the exact synopsis of each story in just about one line and a few of them will exceed your expectation with the respective delivery.
They start off as impactful and just, while it gets bitter and mysterious by the middle and it leaves you with a sense of false understanding, that you know these characters and you have seen them around but in no way can you ever understand their nothingness unless you have experienced the same.
By the end, it all feels like a sarcastic comment on our society. The way we label certain people amongst us as non-achievers and undeserving of a legacy of their own. It almost comes as a satire to the society and the title supports it completely.
From a musician finding inspiration for his next gig and landing upon "infant rape", to a mystery of man and a woman with similar troubling pasts coming together in "Inadequacy", the bitter truth of the publication industry, a man who is forced to change his identity, including his gender, for family and sustenance in "Whatnot", "Enjoy Coca-cola will leave you with fizzy end, an online romance in "Pretty as Fuck" definite to give you an OH-Wow! chuckle, and how companies literally take everything from you leaving nothing behind.
Manoj Pandey's breakthrough with this kind of writing and presentation may only encourage more to attempt a feat like this. For the first of its kinds, it is definitely worth a read!
AND, not to forget, the STUNNING illustrations by Yuko Shimizu made it a work of art. Absolutely gorgeous book.
December 17, 2022
The best part about this book were the illustrations by another artist lmao.
"The Legacy of Nothing" seemed like Twitter in book-form. Whilst it talked about social issues, racism, xenophobia, gender, sexuality, etc., all of it just appeared very vacuous and frivolous. The book felt as if it were trying very hard to be witty and wry, but it just didn't come across in that way.
On a scale of Rupi Kaur-esque Instagram poetry to say Emily Dickinson, this book leaned heavily towards the former, and I am not a huge fan of that style. This new-age poetry, possibly aimed at people with short attention-spans, does not sit well with me. (Just breaking down prose using enjambment does not make for good poetry imho).
However, a few of these "poems" had quite decent plots, and were intriguing to read through. That and the illustrations by Yuko Shimizu made me give this book 2 stars.
"The Legacy of Nothing" seemed like Twitter in book-form. Whilst it talked about social issues, racism, xenophobia, gender, sexuality, etc., all of it just appeared very vacuous and frivolous. The book felt as if it were trying very hard to be witty and wry, but it just didn't come across in that way.
On a scale of Rupi Kaur-esque Instagram poetry to say Emily Dickinson, this book leaned heavily towards the former, and I am not a huge fan of that style. This new-age poetry, possibly aimed at people with short attention-spans, does not sit well with me. (Just breaking down prose using enjambment does not make for good poetry imho).
However, a few of these "poems" had quite decent plots, and were intriguing to read through. That and the illustrations by Yuko Shimizu made me give this book 2 stars.
June 30, 2019
The potential of this book was far greater than what it delivered. Reading the foreword by Shashi Tharoor and then reading the informal index, depicting what the book was going to contain - story of a singer willing to go to any lengths for another hit, story of Americanization, a Nepali Maoist sipping coca-cola and what not built up the hype for me.
The beauty of this book in the form of its unusual cover and fantastic illustrations added to my expectation of this book being concise and brilliant. But the byte-sized prose or whether it was poetry which I didn't understand, didn't quite hit has hard. The theme was fantastic. Each topic that was chosen had the potential to pierce deep into the conscience of every reader. Yet, the book failed to do so.
I didn't feel at par with the characters. It didn't invoke any emotions from me and apart from the Decay, none of the other write-ups was even remotely engaging.
The only reason I am giving this book 2 stars is - 1 star for the illustrations (which were marvellous) and 1 star for the thoughts which the author failed to execute properly.
The beauty of this book in the form of its unusual cover and fantastic illustrations added to my expectation of this book being concise and brilliant. But the byte-sized prose or whether it was poetry which I didn't understand, didn't quite hit has hard. The theme was fantastic. Each topic that was chosen had the potential to pierce deep into the conscience of every reader. Yet, the book failed to do so.
I didn't feel at par with the characters. It didn't invoke any emotions from me and apart from the Decay, none of the other write-ups was even remotely engaging.
The only reason I am giving this book 2 stars is - 1 star for the illustrations (which were marvellous) and 1 star for the thoughts which the author failed to execute properly.
February 20, 2019
This book uses a format and style different from other books. The plots in stories, no matter how mini (most of the times) they are are well described (considering the length of the book). Social miseries are well described in this book. However, these are not new though, some might give you the feel. I think good vocabulary with Different style and short story format are some of its plus points.
But the way stories ends, abruptly made it little repealing. I would say, less attractive. But author can take his liberty. Those who want to listen a sample story should watch YouTube video of Jaipur literature 2019 of the same book. Listen to coca cola story. You will slightly get to know the pattern (idea)not entirely though.
Overall it was okay book, because these stories doesn't amaze me (I have read stories of similar lengths but very high on impact). going by the book size price of the book is exorbitant.
But the way stories ends, abruptly made it little repealing. I would say, less attractive. But author can take his liberty. Those who want to listen a sample story should watch YouTube video of Jaipur literature 2019 of the same book. Listen to coca cola story. You will slightly get to know the pattern (idea)not entirely though.
Overall it was okay book, because these stories doesn't amaze me (I have read stories of similar lengths but very high on impact). going by the book size price of the book is exorbitant.
March 11, 2019
A spectacular collection of stories of unspectacular lives.
Finally, someone writes about lives that are far from spectacular.
And in a style that makes such a dark and sad subject easy to embrace.
Finally, someone writes about lives that are far from spectacular.
And in a style that makes such a dark and sad subject easy to embrace.
January 4, 2021
It's a quirky, fascinating, eccentric, and prodigious book that is written in an unconventional format. The illustrations are beyond me honestly, but I loved the short stories and the flavor of modern langour that the author has instilled in each page.
January 27, 2019
The novelty of reading and adding the first review and rating for this book. This is a great find for a speed read over a busy weekend! The style is new, the illustrations speak to you.
February 25, 2019
3.5
Pithy but wasn't a fan of the style.
Pithy but wasn't a fan of the style.
May 30, 2019
It is an experimental piece of writing, falling in the genre of prose poetry, worth experimenting with. And the illustrations are very, very rich.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews