Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai: Essays

by Fiza Pathan

"I am a recluse and I love books more than I love people." - So begins Fiza Pathan, the self-proclaimed Reclusive Writer and Reader of Mumbai. In this charming collection of personal essays, Fiza recalls important phases of her life, along with the books she was reading at the time and where she read them. Revealed along the way are Fiza's personal struggles, from the father who didn't want a girl child to the years she believed she wanted to be a nun to the college friends who shamed her for gaining weight. Her greatest victories are found here as well, among them the publication of her first story, the request to autograph her most popular book by an author she admired, the start of her own publishing company, and the acquisition of her very own office-cum-writing hut. Within her stories, you'll meet Fiza's beloved Mama, editorial partner (and uncle) Blaise, many other uncles and aunts, the librarians of her youth, and plenty of book salesman. All the people who have helped Fiza along her path to books, books, and more books. You'll also take a taxi with Narayan, Fiza's "Man Friday," to visit her favorite haunts, from libraries to kiosks to boutiques to vendors who pile their offerings on the sides of the road, and you'll learn the plots of her favorite comics, religious writings, medical thrillers, horror stories, activist writings, and so much more. Fiza believes that every one of the books she has read has helped her become the person - and the writer - she was meant to become. Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai is her life in books!

Genres: Books About Books

406 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2019

About the author

IMP: If you are an indie-author & wish to contact me for written or live interviews on my blogs & websites then contact me here - pathan.fiza@gmail.com
or you can text me on 9820763499.

I will then get back to you ASAP.

I also review books already published & in ARC form (pdfs are fine) especially of indie-writers. You can message or text about the same to me via the above given details. Messaging on Goodreads is coming to an end, period. I am also on X, LinkedIn, Fable & StoryGraph, feel free to join me there.

Fiza Pathan is a Roman Catholic born on the 19th of March 1989 and is from Mumbai, India.

Fiza has written and published seventeen award-winning books and short stories, which reflect her interest in furthering the cause of education and in championing social issues. In over seventy literary competitions, she has placed either as winner or finalist, chief among them being: 2020 DBW Awards; 2020 Writer's Digest Self-Published E-Book Awards; 2018 DBW Awards; Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Award; 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards; 2018 Book Viral Millennium Book Awards; Readers’ Favorite Book Awards; Reader Views Literary Awards; Eric Hoffer Book Award; Foreword Reviews Indie Fab Book Awards; Mom’s Choice Awards; Literary Classics Book Awards; and Dan Poynter’s Global E-Book Awards. She established her own niche publishing company called Fiza Pathan Publishing OPC Private Limited where she publishes Rare Classics for younger readers.

She has been contributing articles, book reviews, parabolic stories, and theological essays to various Catholic Magazines for the past 16 years. She has been associated with ‘The Examiner’ which is a reputed Catholic newsweekly of India for the past 16 years. In recognition of her various literary achievements as a young Catholic writer, she has recently received the first ever Bronze Pen Award from The Examiner at its 175th anniversary celebrations in the year 2024.

She also contributes theological articles and book reviews respectively to the ICM (Indian Catholic Matters) online magazine as well as ‘The Teenager Today’ which is run by the Catholic congregation of St. Pauls. She also contributed articles to ‘The Vision & Venture’ and ‘Word Power’ as a youth, both of which are Catholic monthlies.

Fiza Pathan is currently pursuing her Masters in Theological Studies from Pontifex University Atlanta, Georgia asynchronously. She also pursues additional theological courses at the Institute of Catholic Culture in Virginia through its online platform to improve her knowledge of authentic Catholic theology, philosophy, and literature. She is currently in the process of becoming a Consecrated Virgin for Christ.

She is also pursuing her Post Graduate Certificate In International Teacher Education (PGCITE) at Podar International School, Santacruz. She is being trained to teach grades 1 to 12 in the IGCSE & IB curricula. Her specializations will be in English Language, English Literature, Global Perspectives (GP), History, TOK & CAS.

She taught English Literature and History for a year at an ICSE school called Lilavati Bai Podar High School, Mumbai (2011-2012).

Fiza Pathan has a bachelor’s degree in arts from the University of Mumbai, where she majored in History and Sociology with a first class. She also has a bachelor’s degree in education, again with a first class, her special subjects being English and History.

She lives with her maternal family & her cat Lopez, and writes essays, book reviews, sketches, novels, and short stories in most genres. You may follow her on Twitter @FizaPathan and visit her blog insaneowl.com or her website fizapathansteachingportfolioforpgcite.com

Reviews

[Tim Null · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to read Scenes of a Reclusive Writer and Reader of Mumbai. It was written by one of my Goodreads friends, Fiza Pathan. It's part memoir, part love affair with literature. It's a most enjoyable read.

Although our lives have been very different, Fiza's book frequently reminded me of some of my own life experiences. For example, her early experiences with comics reminded me of my early experiences with record albums. I purchased my first record album in 1958. It was the Kingston Trio's first album. The album included Tom Dooley, Three Jolly Coachmen, Sloop John B, and my favorite Fast Freight. It also included the Merry Minuet, and I still joyously sing the chorus to the Merry Minuet on a daily, if not hourly, basis:

"Italians hate Yugoslavs.
South Africans hate the Dutch.
And I don't like anyone very much!"

Surprisingly, my rendition of the Merry Minuet is not well received at the grocery store. Perhaps it's because I always sing a tad off key.

But I digress. Let me return to Fiza Pathan's excellent book. Most chapters include a discussion of an author's life and books, plus the mention of related experiences from Fiza's life. That's an approach I frequently use in my Goodreads reviews. Perhaps that's one reason why I enjoy Fiza's company here on Goodreads, even though our life experiences are so very different. For example, Fiza tells of a Hindu father who wouldn't allow his daughter to learn a profession because he felt the only profession a Hindu woman should have is to be a wife and mother. Contrast that with my life where my most trusted doctors are three Hindu women.

Fiza and I share many views, but not all. For example, I'm a devout atheist. However, I haven't always been an atheist. I began my journey to atheism the day I dedicated my life to god and became a religious fanatic. My journey to atheism was a long but pleasant one. My mother, a devout Christian her whole life, apparently knew I was an atheist long before I did. She reportedly told one of my sisters, "Tim's atheism is part of God's plan." (I very much doubt that, but if it is true, I am glad to know she's thinking about me.)

Fiza and I share a belief in a pluralistic society where, as Marlo Thomas said, we're all "free to be... you and me." A world where we all can have both public and private places. A world where we all get and give respect. A world where we're all fearless because there's nothing to fear.

On numerous occasions in this book of essays, Fiza refers to herself as a reclusive introvert. I also consider myself to be a reclusive introvert. I wonder what percentage of Goodreads members consider themselves to be reclusive? How many consider themselves to be an introvert? Whatever the percentage, I imagine it to be higher than the general population.

This book can be beneficial to the reader in several ways. The book reviews numerous authors and their books; therefore, it can be used as a guide in the selection of books. It also identifies the characteristics of book fanatics. If you see yourself, know you're among kindred spirits here at Goodreads.
*** *** ***

Hiatus: Between now and whenever I don't plan on doing any reviews. However, I will still read and rate books.

[Balroop Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai: Essays by Fiza Pathan is an elaboration of her earlier book (The Reclusive Writer & Reader of Bandra) but in this memoir, she opens up and pours her heart out to share the emotional journey of a younger Fiza, who felt abandoned, alone and neglected; even her mother was too busy to provide an arm rest when her tears erupted and were soaked by the tables of her favorite library. She crawled into the cocoon of books that she built for herself and gave the right only to her readers to meet her. She could never emerge from her hurts and a thread of regret runs through the book; a constant reminder that she was an unwanted girl child. She blames herself for a relationship that was destined to break and fails to see beyond that.

Autobiographical by nature, this book also brings out the trauma of a girl who yearned for love, who wanted friends, who was never heard and found solace in comics and books. “Dracula was her favorite” character in high school…no wonder her peers called her “a weirdo.” Circumstances steeled her into a confident individual, a voracious reader and a resilient writer who takes pride in her surname though she had rejected the apologies of her repentant “brute father.” Even when she was told by Mother Bernarda to forgive her father and she tried, emotional hurts got embedded in her psyche and still fester. She could never learn self-love.

More than half of this memoir talks about the books Fiza has read and why you should also read them. She makes an interesting commentary on those books; sometimes linking them with her own life and offers a gracious advice in each essay. She shares the impact that various writers and books of religious leaders had on her when she was growing up. There are subtle observations about politics, people and public apathy toward human beings.

Probably she was too young when she burnt her spiritual diary or the negativity that she harbors; uncountable books that she has read didn’t uplift her soul from the mundane to see the divine plan of the Almighty. A person who could foresee the hypocritical aspect of religion while attending a teacher’s training college, who is deeply moved by Dr. Ambedkar’s fight against a caste hierarchical structure, who is so widely read and could pen poignant stories about ‘The Love that Dare not Speak its Name’ seems cynical.
“Humans are boring; books are much better,” says twenty nine year old Fiza. To this observation, I would say: books are written by humans. Wait till time turns the tide, till destiny intervenes and you meet the defining moment of your life. I would wait till you write another book entitled “How My Life Turned Around.”


 

[Beem Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am a recluse and I love books more than I love people.” - It's a line from the author herself. And she means it, too. In Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai, author Fiza Pathan opens the door and allows readers just a glimpse inside of her life. These essays introduce us to her world, her family, her many loves. Her loves being books and characters, of course.

I won't say Pathan has had a difficult life, though it couldn't have been easy, either. Her father rejected her based solely on the fact that he didn't want a daughter. But it is through this rejection that the author is shaped into the person she is today. See, while the father may have been absent, her mother, grandmother, and uncles were very much present. As were those who worked in the libraries of Mumbai. These are the rich cast of lives that aided Pathan during her childhood and beyond. One can fully appreciate her family simply by reading these essays. Her words come from her heart--which is what makes this collection so wonderful.

Pathan's love for the written word, for storytelling, began with Archie and Jughead, and carries on through Dracula, Bollywood, and the classics. Social issues rank high on her list of priorities, often showing up within her writing, whether it's essays, short stories, or novels.

As a writer, Fiza Pathan skillfully weaves her words into beautiful tapestries that tell tales in vivid colors and textures. Though her culture is different from my own, I am easily transported into her world, able to feel what she wants readers to feel. This is one trip I truly enjoyed taking.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai” is a fascinating collection of essays that bring the reader into the daily life of Ms. Pathan. It’s a blend of the books she’s read and how they affected her and her personal life. I loved her trips to the different bookstores and libraries and how she interacted there. It was a place she felt so comfortable, and the thrill of finding that special book was something I could relate to on many levels. When she spoke of her personal life, it was heartbreaking that she carried her father rejecting her because she was born a girl. Her education, love of reading, and drive to write were the best response to that. She discusses many subjects including body shaming, health, rape, religion, political climate, and LGBT and women’s rights through the books she’s read or personal experience. I plan to read more by Ms. Pathan and look forward to seeing what life offers her in the next thirty years. I highly recommend this collection—especially if you love books and reading.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part book review, part memoir, this is the story of a young woman who has dealt all her life with rejection, beginning with that of her father who abandoned her because she was not a boy. It is also a love letter of sorts to the books she has turned to for solace all her life, to the places where she has discovered them, and though there is a strong theme of rejecting the company of others, also the people who have shared so much love with her through the years.

I really enjoyed this book. The author is writing from a cultural perspective that is not my own, but her essays are so human and personal and honest that they easily transcend such barriers. It should be read with your TBR list handy, as you will likely add many titles to it. And I will end my review like the author ends most of her essays. If you are the kind of person who enjoys getting lost in the library stacks, or if you've ever thought it would be easier to have a relationship with books than with people, or if you have ever found yourself profoundly affected by what you have read, then this book is for you.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately connected with this author.
I, too, find that most often I love books more than the general population and find it easier to relate to bookish type people. (Even among the bookish I am still particular about the company I keep...)
I, too, love St. Francis of Assisi and 'Alice in Wonderland'. As well as the 'Goosebumps' series; are you kidding me? I grew up on that!
This book of essays proves once again that people from vastly different places and backgrounds can connect through their mutual love of words and literature.
Thank you, Fiza, for sharing your stories. And for helping add to my To Read list. We like so many of the same books, I am planning on reading the titles mentioned with which I am not yet familiar.
I will also be looking for more by this author. She is one to watch.

[Melissa Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scenes of a Reclusive Writer and Reader of Mumbai is a collection of compiled essays about how the author, Fiza Pathan, became the recluse that she is today. With a preoccupied mother and a father who never wanted a daughter, Pathan describes how different books and figures in literature played a role throughout her life in “raising her.”
She believes all of her problems began from the second she was born, because she was born a girl. This I would say is her utmost insecurity, and she brings it up multiple times throughout her novel, perhaps overabundantly so.
The author writes firsthand about being painfully shy and shunned by her peers throughout her upbringing. She spent most of her time, even her birthdays, in the library; it became something of a sanctuary for her. While amongst the books was where she found the most acceptance, she was further ostracized by her peers for being a loner, a mute, a recluse.
Her writing style is very personal and honest; she tackles the strenuous hurtle of confronting her own feelings of neglect, bullying, loneliness, and sadness. These scenes are not only written with heartbreak, but bitterness and anger as well.
While there are many things I admire about this novel, the author’s taste in genres, her knowledge of various books and authors, her use of metaphors, her self-awareness, her passion, the courage it must’ve taken to write this piece, there are some things that could’ve been worked on. The timeline is a little jumpy and she has a habit of over-explaining and repeating things. A lot. There are stronger ways to get a point across without constantly repeating it. And speaking of getting to the point, the author does tend to get wordy on her way to the punchline of each essay. Some things just aren’t necessary. Even the title of the book could probably be shorter.
Overall, the author has an interesting perspective, great material, and the makings of a truly unique and original memoir.

[McKenzie Tozan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Split between the worlds of personal narrative and literary review, Fiza Pathan's 'Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai' uniquely harkens back to the unique style of Stephen King and Annie Dillard's memoiristic craft texts.

Structured as a collection of essays, Pathan shares a series of works that have impacted significant areas of her life. Reviewing novels and graphic novel comics and stories from a variety of genres, Pathan dug into her life of rejection and eventual success, as well as her more significant familial and social relationships that influenced her as a person and as a writer along the way.

'Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai' is not only an amazingly personal story for writers who identify with isolation and writing alone, but also for the necessary isolation happening in our current time. The stories contained here illuminate intelligently how prior knowledge builds into understanding and personal growth, but also how a good book can impact a writer forever.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Fiza Pathan's writing is beautiful and the tale she has to tell is wonderful. I especially loved the BSS Library scenes.

Definitely recommended for curling up by the fire, or taking on your summer holiday. This will definitely hold your interest.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compilation of essays written by India native, Fiza Pathan. There were several things that jumped out at me as I read these, but number one was the author's growth, not only in the literary sense but in her personal development. Rejected by her father at birth simply because she was a girl baby, she carried the weight of that knowledge on her shoulders. When she finally decided to confront him with love and forgive him, I cried at his response. How can a father be so cruel to a child? Fiza found solace in books at an early age. The literary growth shown in these essays is profound. From Archie and Jughead comic books to deep and disturbing social issues revealed in biographies and memoirs, she read everything. She read classics. She read memoirs. She read fiction. She read Bollywood books. She literally read every genre, stating that her favorite author as a teenager was Bram Stoker, creator of Dracula. As this author matured into a young woman, she faced rejection in the form of body-shaming and sadly, she chose to withdraw from society completely and spend her days reading and writing. She is an award-winning author and has addressed many social issues that plague India from the Caste society to LGBTQ. I admire her grit and determination. I admire her courage to tell her story and reveal the deepest part of her soul. And I admire that she writes stories to shine a light on the deplorable social issues. That is why I can easily say this book is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

[Teagan Geneviene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second visit to a collection of this author's essays. Once again I felt like I was in the company of a kindred spirit. Much of that reaction is because this book is just quirky enough, as are the marvelous descriptions of the people she encounters. Time spent getting to know these books, and so the author, is time well spent.