Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Tizistwar nou pays - Tales of Simpler Times

Rate this book
The book Tizistwar nou pays is a bit like the good old charcoal stove of yore around which people gathered to warm up, while sharing stories, jokes and thoughts about life. This collection of 24 tizistwars will bring back to you the nostalgic feeling of these memories that have remained attached to people, places, moods and habits of the past, and to moments in time.

236 pages, Paperback

First published December 13, 2022

3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read

About the author

Nanda Pavaday

4 books1 follower

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
93 (69%)
4 stars
37 (27%)
3 stars
3 (2%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
Profile Image for Dalia (book_o_creativity).
566 reviews76 followers
February 13, 2023
“Then there are those little things that come to mind, the things we usually did together or said to each other, and that's when we feel their absence the most.”

It's pretty, it's heart touching, it's emotional, it's beautiful. 'Tizistwar nou pays' is a bit like the good old charcoal stove of yore around which people gathered to warm up, while sharing stories, jokes and thoughts about life. This book is a collection of 24 tales that will take the readers back to the old, nostalgic memories of Mauritius and it's people. Each story, depicting love, compassion and empathy while some coated with a tinge of humour.

'Tiwistwar nou pays' is a memoir, it's as much as about the people of Mauritius as it's about the author and his childhood This book invoked a deep sense of gratitude and stirred emotions inside me. Each simple tale leaves you with many questions and in each question I found myself asking isn't it relatable to me as well? I felt nostalgic, story after story. As the tales progressed, the feelings ripened. At some point it made me emotional, I couldn't hold back my tears especially when I was reading the beautiful piece the author wrote for his mother. And those beautiful illustrations are no doubt bringing life to this whole book, both the writing and illustrations are complementary to each other.

The writing warmed up my heart, something that reminds me of my childhood. It's difficult to convey how happy and grateful I am to read this book. It came as a fresh gust of wind taking away all bad memories with it and showing another perspective of life. Recommended to all.
27 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2023
The traditional charcoal stove where people used to gather to remain warm while exchanging stories, jokes, and life-related thoughts is analogous to the book Tizistwar nou pays. Thanks to this collection of 24 tizistwars, you may revisit the nostalgic feeling of these memories that have remained associated with people, places, feelings, behaviours, and eras across time. The book delves into many facets of the author's life, such as festivities, the similarities between their New Year's Eve and our Diwali, our love of movies, our attachment to inanimate objects like grinding stones, and the significance of food in bridging the cultural gap between Indians and Mauritanians.

A memoir, "Tiwistwar nou pays" is as about the people of Mauritius as it is about the author and his upbringing. This book sparked strong feelings of appreciation and emotion in me. Each short story raises a number of intriguing concerns, and I found myself wondering if any of them applied to me personally. Story after tale made me feel wistful. The emotions grew stronger as the stories went on. I became upset while reading it at one point and found myself crying, especially as I read the heartfelt letter the author penned to his mother. And this entire book is undoubtedly brought to life by those exquisite graphics; the language and the pictures work best together.

Overall, "Tizistwar nou pays - Tales of Simpler Times" is the ideal gift for readers who want to reminisce, travel down memory lane, and experience "Nostalgia." Special mention should be made of the paper quality and the sketches in each chapter, which not only enhance understanding of the subjects covered in that chapter but also allow readers to view those life events through the author's perspective. You'll finish this book with a smile on your face. Go for it if you think it's worth the money and the material. Every chapter includes a "Author's Note" and a section for readers to record noteworthy events from their own lives.
Profile Image for Shanthi Ramabhadran.
204 reviews1 follower
December 25, 2022
In my opinion the book is not a story, a life of every Mauritian and also each and every one who had a life in a non metro cities of India.
He starts the book with a new beginning of everyone's life - New Year's Eve . On completion the first chapter, I immediately fell in love with the book because I understood that this book is my childhood, my college days and my life.
I am connected with every chapter,
Street food : ( gato Pima - for us vada pav) it's still on the go food for office goers who are in a hurry and also poor daily wagers. Certainly we can't get the same taste when we try at home. 😊
Grinding stone: the girls were trained by their mothers to use the grinding stone And wash rock. Not only the masalas are tasty it was a great exercise for women.
Household chores: every line brought back my childhood/ teenage memories. As kids we used to share work. I used to do utensils and broom, my sister washing clothes and my brother pressing clothes.
I can keep on writing for every chapter, the school system, the barber shop , football , Hindi movie telecast on every Thursday , climbing a mango tree to get mangoes and so on.
Every chapter ends with authors note which explains the meaning or history of local words. His writing will bring smile on your lips in some places and moist in your eyes in some other situations.
The book ends with the tragedy of his life, loosing his father on the day of his departure for his higher studies.
His quote:
"l experienced the moments that followed like a passenger on a train: I watched the scene unfold in front of me without being able to do anything."
We are helpless in many situations.
If you are an Indian, you will immediately get connected with his book. If you are a non Indian, you will fall in love with the rich culture, traditions, family attachments and genuine affection and simplicity of Mauritians.
Profile Image for Avidd_Readerr.
318 reviews
January 8, 2023
Mauritius, a country I have yet to visit, but whose people I believe are no different from Indians. I got to know this thing after reading this book. The whole concept of this book is based on the respective country. The author describes his childhood, the events that happened in his life, and how he progresses through the obstacles of life. I found his childhood no different than mine; it’s totally relatable to me and Indian people, except for some things. The book explains various topics in his life, such as celebration, their New Year's Eve and our Diwali are the same, the love we have for cinema, the attachment to things or objects like grinding stones, which is so mesmerising to read, and thinking about those people's feelings, food is the major thing that connects Indians and Mauritanians. I found no difference between the feelings of connection between these two nations. While reading, I thought that the setting of the book was India. Teacher’s respect, mother’s love, family, culture, value for life, morals, friends, and acts of god—the amazing activities of childhood—are the simple but wonderful things which are found in this book. I got to know many things about Mauritius’s system of education too, but the most lovable character of mine was the author’s dad. A simple male who is fulfilling his responsibility of caring for his family, earning a living through work, and everyone is nice to him and his friend—he is similar to my father or almost every child's father. The most hilarious part of the text was the punishment segment; I laughed too much reading that one, and now I know every child gets beaten in the course of growing up in almost every country. The ending hurts me too much, and this book taught me too many things. The vocabulary of the language is easy.
Profile Image for Deotima Sarkar.
890 reviews27 followers
January 28, 2023
This collection of 24 tizistwars as I understood are little anecdotes based on experiences of the author's life in Maurutian. Reading this was a ride into pure nostalgia for me. It reminded me of my late grandparents, the moment of my father's death, and most importantly of my childhood. I too got my glasses in standard V and the story was so heart warming for me.
.
The very first one about New Year celebrations was also very special, such celebrations taking place without any religious involvement is a very significant thing for me. New year is such an important marker of a new start irrespective of any social divide. With every little tale with a fitting picture I was transported to curepipe and could see the day to day life as if it were mine!
.
Loved the chapter on bad omen too some of which are very familiar to what we believe too - pure superstitions but similar. Football again is a big thing here in Bengal too and that's an emotion I connected well with too. A mothers heart - such an emotive chapter, I wish my mother to live 100 years too!
.
I could describe each story, each anecdote, experience to you but you need a copy of this lovely, simple, warm book to transport you and make you relive the moments with the author.
.
It's such a beauty in its simplicity, the illustrations apt and the translations heart touching too. A book that's worth keeping, gifting and reading out to children as well.
.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Readwithmadhu.
507 reviews23 followers
February 17, 2023
As is quite evident, no two people can be similar, and each and every single individual has their own set of perspectives and perceptions, but it is their experiences and the way they view certain things in their life, which can be held to have the requisite dimension.

This is the reason why we have always been told to always cherish all the moments in our life, because regardless of whether they are small or huge, significant or insignificant, they are bound to have some sort of impact on our life.

In the book, ‘Tizistwar nou pays - Tales of Simpler Times’ by author Nanda Pavaday, we see a collection of various short stories that reminisce about the time that went by, the old memories and moments that still have the potential to bring a smile on face of anyone reading it.

Out of all, my favorite would surely be Fet Mama (Mother’s Day), which truly opens our eyes about how, from a very young age, we focus on giving things to our mothers that will help make their work better, but we forget the most important objective, which is that it should be the one day where our mothers don’t have to think about work at all.

Another of my favorite was Leker Mama (A Mother’s Heart) which truly encaspulated the feelings which we all go through, and the want for our mothers to live for hundreds of years was so beautifully penned by the author, thereby making us understand the true love of a mother. Hence I am going to give this FIVE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Solitude and  books.
1,175 reviews53 followers
February 23, 2023
Tizistwar nou pays - Tales of Simpler Times

Authored by : Nanda Pavaday

I have been reading this book lately. Some book talk about our possible future. They are pretty interesting. They let us imagine the unimaginable. But what about those that let us enjoy what we have lost in time? Few are so special. Such is this book!

This book comes with such 28 short stories that transport you back in time to the simpler days of childhood and olden days when things were actually beautiful and blessful. Life was slow but heart felt the immense joys of simpler days. The pages capture the essence of life in a truly beautiful way. Highly recommend!

Lost in the vividly illustrated pages of this book, each story takes you on a unique journey down memory lane. Everything feels nostalgic and your heart starts craving for those olden days. I cannot fathom how much this book proves to be a piece of art!

Just swipe to check the wonderful vivid illustrations.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking to relive the joy of childhood.

Do you like reading stories thatets you go back the memory lane of your childhopd days?
Profile Image for Shrestha Hira.
78 reviews6 followers
February 22, 2023
Tizistwar nou pays (Tale of Simpler Times)

If I am to describe books, I say they are my ticket to places I haven't ever been to. With this book, I traveled to Mauritius.
I went there, relived my childhood and grew up, all over again.

The simplicity of this book is its charm. A book filled with pictures was already enough to make me nostalgic but then tiny tales of childhood and I was so engrossed. I believe growing up in the 90s kids wasn't really much different no matter which part of the world they lived in.

We all had our different yet somewhere similar versions of fer louvraz (household chores), mové zer (bad omen), pié mang (the mango tree), gato pima (chilli poppers), siro zanana (punishment) and leker mama (a mother's heart) which describes our childhood more than anything else.

There are small interconnected tales that will give you a glimpse of life in Mauritius and you will find a piece of your childhood there.

Nothing extraordinary, just simple reminiscence of simpler times.
Profile Image for Archana A.
752 reviews23 followers
January 23, 2023
"Not all stories start with 'Once upon a time...' "

Where do I even begin? Wow, first of all, I was stunned looking at the illustrations of the book. I was so careful to hold it well, so that I don't spoil the pages, hahaha.

One word - Nostalgia. To every individual, their childhood days are meant to be golden days. The stories described in the book are those of the childhood, which the 70's and 80's kids can fully relate to and the 90's kids (me) - most of the scenarios.

The book takes you back to your initial days and we can easily compare the differences between today's digital world and the good old times.

My favorites were Roche Cari (loved it), Fet Mama, Travay Kasros and Ferr Louvraz. You are really missing out on something for sure if you don't read it.
285 reviews5 followers
January 1, 2023
Tizistwar nou pays- Tales of Simpler Times

Author- Nanda Pavaday 

My Rating-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Review- 

This book is definitely one of the beautiful books that I've read so far. Being a 20s kid I may not have experienced the things that were mentioned in this book, but still I can relate with some and some others were the stories narrated by my parents.


This book deals with the stories in Mauritia of the author and his family. I can say that not only Mauritans, even the people who live in India, especially in Rural areas can definitely relate to each and every story.


Every chapter was written very beautifully and started with a beautiful picture. This book started with the Chapter of New Year's Eve and the things we used to do before the New year and I eventually fell in love with it. This book ended with the tragedy of losing his father made me feel very sad.


This book is beautifully crafted with all those memories, situations, emotions, which makes us feel connected to the stories. There were stories of household chores, street food, cyclone days, watching Hindi movies on TV that will be telecasted once a week, mango trees, beating of parents, love, and a lot more.


After completing this book I really felt how beautiful those days were even with the very minimal facilities we have these days. People were so happy and affectionate to each other even if they are our neighbours. There are lots of things that we miss in this generation which are the beautiful memories of our elders.


Technology and development of this modern generation made the people miss those beautiful days. There are some things that were lost in the era of Internet and mobile. This is what I really felt after reading this book.


Everyone will definitely enjoy this book. I think if 90s people read this book , I can say they'll be more connected than a 20s kid, so I highly recommend this book to them. 
Profile Image for Shruthi Inkit writings.
605 reviews14 followers
January 15, 2023
Book review 📚🔖
⭐My Rating - 4.5/5⭐

The book " Tizistwar nou pays - Tales of Simpler Times" is a non fiction by Author Nanda Pavaday

This book is an anthology of 24 tizistwar collectively written on no particular topics but inspired on true events that takes us back to nostalgic memory lane.

Actually this book is a translated version by author Nanda but he has done a great job on his part by bring it in a realistic version.

Each topic that was written in the book was more like a narrative or a conversation with a reader that actually took me to childhood till today that has a lot of memories connected with the book.

The book cover is so alluring and inspiring, while the title is such a good choice for this book. The narration was well set and the language used is clear and crisp. Overall a neat and unforgettable book.
1 review
January 30, 2023
SHELLS FULL OF MEMORIES AND THE GLEAMING SANDS OF SIMPLER TIMES : NANDA PAVADAY’S TIZISTWAR NOU PAYS



In ‘Tizistwar Nou Pays’, Pavaday weaves together a warm quilt, one that is a sudden burst of myriad colours. One that though frayed near the edges, by the turmoils of time, reeks of the “images, sounds, perfumes, and tastes” of a lost Mauritius. One that revisits the heartland of Pavaday’s childhood through a collection of 24 different tizistwars.

As the readers embark on the journey to this island country of the ’80’s, the author looks back on his glorious days and quickly draws us into a beautiful web of the joys, sorrows and companionship of childood and adolescence. On a quest to recover that “unseen part of us [him], which spreads wide” (Virginia Woolf) and survives in the people and places we love, he opens his box of childhood collectibles. At first, he draws out the tunes of Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’ while it still resounds in the memory lanes of his first New Year's Eve. Next appears the glowing faces of Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, and many others: the living totems of the love and warmth of a Thursday evening spent together in front of the Television. As the pages fly, more places and even more faces crowd in. The Chinese shop at the street corner beams and opens its world of enchantments: wafers, lozenges, and coconut-filled sweet buns call out to the readers’ hearts. You could get away with some, run behind the sugarcane carts or stop to munch on the delicious gato pima (chilli poppers); but never forget the warnings from home: the author smiles in memory. Be it the gato pima , the football matches or the clandestine meetings with a beloved, the Mauritians of those golden days call to Indian hearts with a yearning, that seems only too close to home. A yearning that not only brings a soft look in care-worn eyes, but also, ties two nations together through the shared annals of pain, poverty, and suffering in a post-colonial world. And what better way to answer than write back? And Pavaday does exactly that through his stories of growing up ; through the resilience, warmth and courage of those golden people even amidst intense adversities. The beautiful illustrations by Noah Nany and the conscious use of native terms, only serve to improve upon the innocent joys of simpler times.

In short, if you are looking for a read that feels like a warm hug on a winter night, go for this! Definitely a wonderful read!
370 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2023
A seasoned storyteller who has plied his trade as a copywriter andcreative director in the advertising field, Nanda Pavaday had initiated his collection of stories months back. Inspired by episodes from his childhood and youth, the author celebrates those rituals and rites of passage that make life beautiful. Once published online, the momentum was palpable, likes and shares were never lacking and the following most encouraging for a writer who dreamt of launching his collection of short stories in book form. Helped by friends and colleagues his vision has come to fruition in October 2019 and has met with success.

The stories are relatable as they draw their essence from our collective memory. The precious family time that was the Thursday night Bollywood movie at 20:05 is one of them. Pavaday aptly describes the infamous villains of the 1970s and 80s. Pran, Prem Chopra, Danny Denzongpa and Jaggu are depicted in the book. While many of the 24 stories have a humorous touch to them, there is much more to take from them. Nanda celebrates unity among people “nou bann vwazin zot inpe kouma nou fami mem sa”.

This was the time prior to unbridled capitalism and our odd fascination with shopping malls where buyer and seller kept all records of purchases in a ‘carnet ration’. Nanda reminds his readers that the laboutik sinoi was a meeting point for people and mourns the death of camaraderie that existed in localities.Two of the stories stand out from this excellent compilation: Leker mama and 27 Juin. Leker Mama is a celebration of motherly love but not only. The writer evokes in a simple and touching way the meeting of two people and their love for each other. He writes of the relationship between his parents:

“Il a vécu le reste de sa vie avec un sentiment de gratitude vis-à-vis de ma maman et plaisantait souvent en disant qu’il n’a levé la main sur elle qu’une seule fois; c’était pour lui passer une guirlande de fleurs autour du cou et l’épouser.”

27 Juin is poignant and deals with the loss of a family member. The tone is elegiac and the story while dealing with death is an appeal to us to cherish the memories of those who have left us.

This is the work of a deeply humane being who tells us that the simple things in life are often the most beautiful ones. Have we not lost touch with those around us and are we not constantly prowling for more? What Pavaday wants us to realise is that we are forgetting that life is about our relationship with others. Ti zistwar is a much-needed reminder of that.
Profile Image for Ari's Library ||  booksandpieces.
68 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2023
📕First things first, the feeling you get when you get the book in your hands is, for a lot of Indian kids, going to be quite nostalgic. A common memory most of us share from our school days is about the Scholastic Book Fair, that would have the most beautiful things in the world on display, with sky high prices, so the bibliophiles would have no choice but to simply appreciate and not buy. This book reminded me of that experience immediately. And let me tell you, this time, it's worth the price.
📕It comes with a bookmark in the book, and this simple gesture really scored a lot of points from my side.
📕High quality pages, with beautiful illustrations and smooth formatting of text makes the book a soothing read to the eyes, drawing the reader to an immersive experience full of nostalgia. Sure, you may not be from Mauritius, but there's every chance that if you grew up in a developing country, you will have experienced something or the other analogous to the stories here. It will unlock a core part of your memories you don't actively try to remember, it will coax you out of adulthood into a world where times were, indeed, simpler.
📕Personally, the part detailing the family time with Thursday Movies were a favorite. It really stresses on the gentle intimacy of times long gone by, when the world wasn't a rat race of materialism for us, and when not everyone was equipped with a smartphone in their hands and noise-cancelling earphones in their ears. Joy, then, was community based, not individualistic.
📕The story on Sugarcane Fields was another favorite. It remined me of the times when as a child, I would take the sugarcane mother had kept for pujas, and chew away at them. There was a sense of adulthood in that, for little me. Even now, whenever I see a cart vending sugarcane juice, I usually do stop and get a glass for myself. The saccharine memories never fail to make me smile.
📕The constant use of vernacular dialogues truly increased the sense of intimacy exponentially. I doubt the book would have had half the charm it does now, had the dialogues been phrased completely in English. It was a sweet and necessary addition. That , along with the elaborations on various parts of the culture of Mauritius, including it's food, etc., was a great experience.
📕Not romanticizing past times, but amply appreciating it, is my takeaway from this book. There were wrongs and rights in that era, and it's not difficult to acknowledge both. At the end of the day, Tales of Simpler Times will always be a warm hug on a cold winter afternoon. ❤

With the slow progress of the stories into adulthood as we know it is now, this book is a beautiful collection, that will be a lot of people's closure, and a lot of people's comfort place. Would definitely recommend it. ❤
Profile Image for Kiran K Adharapuram.
277 reviews34 followers
February 24, 2023
"Tizistwar nou pays" is One of the unblemished memoirs I read in recent times. This book isn't just the anecdote of Mr. Nanda Pavaday, those are the moments of every individual in their life journey to rejuvenate those prominent epochs of one's life. Being a past tourist to the land of "Mauritius", I could able to very much relate all the bits and pieces the author dealt with the days in the "Ile de France", also this is an English version of the French Book and utmost care was taken to draft the same.

Not just as a memoir, this book also equally carries humor, nostalgia, freshness, and a pinch of enchantment. All twenty-four stories give us an aroma of those Maurice days and leave a delightful mark in the reader's heart. In other words, this book is a virtual tour of Nanda's stay in the land of Mauritius and a guided trip to those places and notable landmarks in and around Mauritius.
Interestingly every reader can relate good old days and go back to those pages in memory and cherish the days spent. Further, the author provides sketches that are associated with the respective stories.

Notably, the author also uses the lines in the "Mauritian Creole" language and the corresponding meaning in English thereby ensuring the readers get the actual fragrance of the native language.

In the chapter "Leker Mama", the author gave a befitting tribute to his mother and also sent out a message to every reader to go back to those days when every individual has a handful of memories with their parents, especially his/her Mother.

I could also relate to the episode of "Ros Kari", in my childhood where I was helping my grandmother to crush the spices and special ingredients to prepare tasty dishes like Coconut Chutney, Fresh Turmeric crushed for milk and masala preparations.

Overall "Tizistwar nou pays - Tales of Simpler Times" is a perfect gift to the readers via an opportune to go back and walk through the memory lines and to feel "Nostalgia", Special mention to the paper Quality and the sketches in every chapter that not only help in better understanding of those topics dealt in the chapter but also to experience those life events through the lens of the author.

This book will end with a decent smile on your face. Go for it worth purchasing both for pocket and content. Not to miss, every chapter ends with "AUthors Note" plus the space for the readers to jot down his/her notable life episodes.
Profile Image for Ibtesam Rahman.
410 reviews16 followers
February 22, 2023
Ti zistwar nou pays - Tales of simpler times by Nanda Pavaday.
Publisher- The write order
Pages- 234 pages
Genre- Memoir

The book is a collection of 24 tales which brings with it the feeling of nostalgia and opens up a box of memories attached with people, places, food and habits of the past. Each story is associated with memories of the author as he was growing up, things that were daily life occurrence but now not so much.

As a 90's kid, I have experienced them myself and reading this book was a stroll down the memory lane as I was reminded of my own childhood. Reading the book reminded me of memories I don't even remember I had. When I was small I used to live in railway quarters and there was a kirana shop opposite to our quarter which had all sorts of lotteries and candies I used to buy with the pennies I saved. Every Sunday, we listened to Rangoli on Doordarshan and our breakfast was the slices of pound bread which was buttered and toasted then sprinkled with sugar crystals.
Few of the things to note about the book are the stories, the glossy pages and the illustrated arts with each chapter. Often with transalations the authenticity is lost, but it was not so with this book. There are several phrases that were explained in English but kept in the native language to maintain the spirit of the book. The language was simple and easy and the narration engaging.

What delighted me the most was how similar Mauritius and India is. Did we all live similar lives, and are just not aware of it? Not only do we travel through the memoir of the author but also get a glimpse into the daily life of mauritians and how the past looked like. The details in each story makes me praise the amount of research that went into it. The stores Punishment, Grinding stone, The barbershop feels like it was just yesterday that I experienced them myself.

Did our ancestors have it better than us can be a debatable topic however, one cannot negate that things were simpler, in a way better without the rat race. There are few memories which will always be bittersweet and make us smile whenever we remember them. Overall, it was a delight to read and I am going to gift it to my brother who I'm sure will love to read it.
Profile Image for _ammu_asoka.
136 reviews13 followers
January 31, 2023
Before talking about the contents of the book, let me tell you something... I just realised I'm growing up so fast... Not 'I' but 'we'. This book reminded me that the world isn't waiting for me to stop in my tracks and enjoy everything irrespective of time. The world won't wait for us. It will move on whether we are ready or not...

Tizistwar nou pays is written from our memories. It is a testimony of the changes that have occurred over time as well as proof that memories keep us alive. Alive here refers to the vibrant feeling we get when we remember the way we grew up.

Now talking about the content of the book...
I LOVED this book!!!
A very beautiful way of narrating... It makes us believe that we are living our past lives again. This book reminded me of a lot of things. I kept asking my mother about a few things since a lot of things narrated in the book are related to the things before I was born.

I loved the pictures in the book! The book contains beautiful pictures making it colourful💛

I loved the chapter about television. My mother used to tell me that since television was a rare commodity in her childhood, neighbours used to come to her home to watch movies that were telecasted. This book presented those events beautifully. And I did love the chapter about flirting😅😅😅. I had a smile on my face while reading that chapter😅. A foolish smile to be clear😅.

I can't remember the last time I played football. It's not like I keep thinking about it all the time. But reading about playing football with friends made my heart flutter. Not remembering an old flame, but thinking about the happiness I gained from playing.

The chapters dealing with the memories of the mother were really heart-touching.

And another thing that cracked me up was comparing the narrator to a trophy of the British Premier League 😅😅.

Cover - 10/10
Narrative style - 10/10
Content - 10/10
Definitely a 5⭐ read!

If you haven't read this book yet, please read it. This is a wonderful read. You'll never regret reading this book... It's a good thing to communicate with the past once in a while. Since the past made us what we are today...
Profile Image for bookloverbiswa.
173 reviews8 followers
February 2, 2023
In "Tizistwar Nou Pays," Pavaday creates a cosy patchwork that suddenly bursts with a variety of colours. One that, although being worn down at the edges by the turbulence of time, nonetheless exudes the "pictures, sounds, smells, and tastes" of a long-gone Mauritius. one that includes 24 various tizistwars and takes the audience back to Pavaday's birthplace. The author recalls his glory days when the readers travel to this island nation in the 1980s and immediately entangles us in a lovely web of the pleasures, sufferings, and friendship of childhood and youth.

It includes a bookmark in the book, and I thought this small gesture was quite kind. The book's high-quality pages, lovely artwork, and easy text structure make it a relaxing read for the eyes and entice readers with an immersive, sentimental experience. Although you might not be from Mauritius, there is a good probability that if you grew up in a developing nation, you had some similar experiences to those described here. It will let you escape maturity and return to a period when things were, in fact, easier. It will also unlock a key component of your memories that you don't consciously strive to recall.

The author transports us to the soil of Mauritius with his eccentric, crunchy, yet incredibly straightforward language. Every page that unfurled the essence of memories, the fresh scent of green grass, and the salty Mauritian air impacted me and was accompanied by lovely images. Here, author Nanda recounted experiences from his youth and formative years. I could feel the author's pen dripping nostalgia into my heart with every stroke.

It's a book that can be read with your spouse, kids, parents, friends, or relatives because it doesn't fit into any one particular genre or target audience. This one will truly pull you closer to the people and things you love since it is so amazing. Everyone should read it, in my opinion, because the language is so nutritious and the drawings are the icing on the cake. I wholeheartedly urge everyone to read it, regardless of their reading preferences.

Book Review By Biswajit Samal


Profile Image for readerkd .
361 reviews12 followers
February 4, 2023
First of all even though I have already shared a reel to show the beautiful Book;

I need to mention how amazingly Book is designed. From the Book size to Font size and style, Book cover to illustrations everything is so pleasing and mesmerizing that I was just observing & feeling that for a long time.

A story is memories of emotions experienced by people which are expressed via beautiful words wrapped up with meanings imitating those feelings. But all this works only when there is essence of truth in it.

Everytime we feel the story, we ultimately feel the emotions having common truth which we all share as Human and as Life itself. The same thing happens with this book. A collective experience of truth and emotions are shared by reades even if they are not from Mauritius. The praising words from the comments of facebook page provide proof to that.

I'm in love with short stories. But when it is told with such simple and lucid narration I just become part of the story. I was in the story fully; watched the match and movie with family, talked on closed shop at evening, played football with all kids, tested sugarcane and cried remembering my Granny. Let me tell you that one properly.

The story where Mother use special grind stone to make different spice and dishes reminded me my Granny. She used to do grinding in another type of cup stone instead of flat one as mentioned here.

I still remember how she used to make different dishes when we went to their house in summer vacation. As small kid I used to take my mother's permission before any food I take. I used to see in her eyes for that and my Granny would say, "Why are you looking at your mother. I'm your mother's mother. You don't need her permission." I still can see and hear that face & voice even if it's little blurry.

The Love for feeding people which we see, is the essence of culture and especially the sensitivity for the people who came to break the stone in house made me realise how I felt the same when similar labour job was happening at my place or in surrounding. Whether Mauritius or India or anywhere else, somethings always remain similar.
Profile Image for Sanchari Das.
Author 7 books14 followers
February 20, 2023
"In those days, there was a spirit of sharing. People did not live isolated and withdrawn from others."

With its short, unique and intriguing tales, "Tizistwar nou pays" by Nanda Pavadey welcomes its readers to the world of yore and the stories of simpler times.

Woven with a nostalgic touch from past memories and a time long gone by, these stories force the readers to have a smile plastered on their lips while remembering the good old days they spent years back.

The book brings back many different memories from the childhood days and the old times long gone by, but not without leaving a taste of their sweetness on our heart forever.

All the stories bring out the contrast between the realities of the modern times and the beautiful past of an era gone by.

Some of the stories are in first person, some in third and some even in second person, but one thing that all the tales have in common is that they give us a taste of the past memories, moods, people, places and habits that still adhere to us.

And the best feature of the book is that it tells a non-fiction story with the precision of a fictional tale. It kinda gives the feeling of people gathering around warm fire and listening to the stories of yore.

The author's note at the end of each story helps us to understand it better and connects us to the tale in a way that the writer wanted in the first place.

The cover picture that comes with every story truly captures the real essence of the tale and takes us to a walk down the memory lane.

What's more riveting is that tiny lessons of life seep in through all the simple tales but one would have to listen very intensely in order to grasp them. And amid all its varieties, there is something very distinctively Indian in these stories, which endear them more to our hearts.

Offering the most amazing dive into the sea of nostalgia, the colourful book "Tizistwar nou pays" by Nanda Pavadey never ceases to amaze its readers throughout the journey and keeps them engaged till the last page.

"I don't believe there is a more genuine and authentic recognition than knowing that you mattered in someone's life."
Profile Image for Sayani.
358 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2023
🤎Reading this book in the month of March that marks the arrival of Summer was one of the best decision because this book feels like the cool breeze of summer afternoons, reminding me my good old summer vacations days and also simultaneously giving the feel of warm hugs of nostalgia cherished alongside a cup of hot chocolate. Through the 24 tales of it takes the readers to the world of Mauritius and Mauritian people giving us glimpses of their lives, the love, the beauty, blended with the affection and spiced with humour that feels close to oneself as if it's our own story beautifully connecting ordinary things to extraordinary feelings and beauty.
🍁

🤎Along with the lyrically beautiful writing the book is accompanied with beautiful illustrations and stories that are conveying messages with deep meanings each character being etched beautifully showing different dimensions of life celebrating both glooms and blooms it offers. With simplicity of language that are easily comprehensible. This book is a memoir of the author and his life in Mauritius which revolves around the simple tales of daily life that made us feel enclosed in the nostalgia of those times bygone through its tales of simpler times reach to the readers with a different outlook towards like along with the fair share of hope and gloom it gives us along the way.
🍁

🤎Like it has been said this book is like a good old charcoal stove of yore around which people gathered to warm up while sharing stories, jokes and thoughts about life exactly like that this book is alike a warm hug on a solitary night making people nostalgic with it's melancholic picturesque talking about society and its people, about love, its various virtues some on other abstract ideas which were interesting to read and about people in our life who adds value to it. This book is a mesmerizing collection to read and behold which I adored reading. Recommended to everyone.
🍁
Profile Image for Mili Das.
612 reviews22 followers
December 25, 2022
Tales of simpler times by Nanda Pavaday
Genre - Memoir, Short story collection
Rating - 5/5

Memories, be they happy or sorrowful we all want to cherish whenever we feel alone or we received any success in our life, or if we meet with someone we want to share memories, it's kind of rarest treasure that we all want to keep and share at the same time, but not to hide. Memories are meant to be shared and cherished, it's a little invisible time-traveling portal that we all possessed in our gray cells and use from time to time.

I can call this book, not just a book it's a museum of memories. Stories from Mauritian author. Every story in this book is filled with the epiphany of lost time, every word bringing fun and sorrow, and every short story is written with love. Every page envelope lots of emotions that are waiting to be unfurled by us.

With his quirky, crispy, yet so simple words author takes us to the soil of Mauritius. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, every page unraveling the fresh fragrance of green grass, essence of memories, and salty Mauritian winds touched me. Author Nanda shared here his childhood and growing-up days memories. I felt every drop of the author's ink pouring nostalgia into my heart.

Not only just stories, but this book is also a conveyor of Mauritian culture and life. With every story, the author gave us some words of Mauritius and explained their meanings which added more fun and exciting ambiance to the book.

Every character, in every single story, is real, and this added to the book more value to this short story.

With love, fun, and affliction when the book reached its ending, I couldn't grasp it properly. Didn't wanted it to be end so soon. The author Nanda, with his book re-established the great joy of affliction.
142 reviews2 followers
March 16, 2023
The 24 unique tales in Tizistwar nou pays - Tales of Simpler Days by Nanda Pavaday are all about insignificant things that we can all relate to and that bring back memories of simpler times. It talks about a period when people didn't communicate much on their phones. By bringing back joyful memories of your youth, the stories in the book will make you smile. The book has colourful illustrations that are masterfully done.

I loved reading every page of this book since it was so colourful and how each story began with a picture that also explained the plot. Learn a new Mauritius word at the conclusion of each story from the author's remark. Every child has distinct memories from their early years, and while reading the author's words, some of mine came flooding back. We would eagerly await the announcement of school vacations during times of cyclones and rain, and we never had to worry about losing power because we had plenty of friends to play with in the street. There was no colour television, and there weren't even many homes with black and white televisions, so we could sit together and enjoy watching serials and movies. I remember having all of those in my youth, including the neighbour business that always let us take anything we wanted and put it to our father's account and more and more, though, I'm grateful to the author since his creations transport us back to our younger years.

As the author recalls how weekends were spent with loved ones, sharing laughter and memories, the book serves as a reminder of the value of family. It serves as a subtle reminder that the most important things in life are the little things. The titles of the stories are each masterpieces in and of themselves, enticing the reader to read on. It is the perfect option for both casual and serious readers thanks to the appealing cover page and the clear wording. extremely recommended.🤓
Profile Image for Mousumi.
107 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2023
There's a real magic to stories about memories, experiences, life and people. They remind me that, no matter how different we may seem on the surface, we all share the same experiences, the same struggles and joy. As it’s very clear by now that I'm a 'contemporarian' to the core, this particular anthological memoir kindled my love for the genre a bit more.

Each of the stories in this book is unique and beautifully crafted, offering a glimpse into the lives of the author and others. From tales of love and loss, to reflections on the elation and challenges of everyday life, these stories are at once intimate and universal.
The author opens up his treasure trove of childhood memories and out springs sun-kissed beaches, bustling streets, and colorful markets of a yester era Mauritius. Whether it was spending a peaceful Thursday evening with family huddled in front of the television or the tale of munching on delicious Gato Pima and running behind sugarcane carts,
Each story reflects the author’s journey through the ever-evolving land, as he rediscovers his roots and comes to terms with the complexities of post-colonial Mauritius.

What I appreciated most about this book was the way in which it gave voice to so many different perspectives, experiences, and emotions. The author has a remarkable ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary, to take the seemingly small moments of our lives and imbue them with meaning and significance.
Whether you're a seasoned reader of memoirs or are just starting to explore this genre, I highly recommend this particular masterpiece. It is a touching, thought-provoking, and beautifully written book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Profile Image for Book Swimmers .
375 reviews13 followers
February 19, 2023
- This is the first time that I read a memoir presented as a graphic novel. It was so worth it. The book consists of 24 stories. To say that these stories are relatable and sentimental is an understatement. Nanda takes us back to those golden, simpler days. Each story is based on a different incidence.

- The stories vary largely in length and topics. The first one begins with the night before the new year- New Year's Eve! The author explains what he and his family would do for the new year and how they would celebrate it. Some of the other nostalgic topics that the stories cover are:

1. Horse Racing
2. Mother cooking a homely meal
3. Radio announcements
4. Family watching a Thursday movie together
5. Farming and harvesting of sugarcanes
6. Playing on the streets with neighboring children
7. Wearing glasses for the first time
and many more....

- All these got me thinking of my good old days. I miss them dearly and wish for them to somehow come back. 'Maa ke haath ka khana' still remains a priority in our lives!
That being said, I absolutely loved how the team was considerate enough to include an author's note after every story which included a glossary of certain terms and a deeper explanation of the certain event. This shows that the team has been mindful of being inclusive so that anyone can understand the stories.

- Along with the author's note section, a page or two has been left for the readers to jot down their thoughts while reading. Every story also had a colorful image at the beginning. This further enhanced the reading experience.

- Overall, this is a great book, a must-have. I highly recommend this to all, irrespective of age, to give it a try.
Profile Image for Sagar Naskar.
803 reviews13 followers
January 3, 2023
Book : Tizistwar nou pays - Tales of Simpler Times
Author : Nanda Pavaday

A Heart Full of Precious Memories is such a great read! I laughed and cried reading this delightful book. It was great fun to recall New Year party, TV shows, school days, football match, Local shop And the endless list of old memoire. The author did an amazing journey through her childhood with her family. His memory astonishes me! I felt pulled into his story from the very beginning.

If you are a baby-boomer, you will appreciate the detailed memories of the by-gone era of our decades. Younger generations may not appreciate this for a few years, but I'm guessing the grandchildren and future generations will be amazed at how we managed without so many modern conveniences.

The author has incredible recall of some mundane things that many of us have forgotten—the layouts of the house, the curtains, the kitchen counters, the furniture. This jogged my memory about things I'd forgotten about my childhood and encouraged me to reminisce about the good old days.

I also appreciated his enthusiasm in retelling what life was like in the traditional family when many women stayed home instead of working in the marketplace. Her home was vibrant and happy, and stable—something so many today haven't experienced. It was a joy to read. In addition to the colorful story-telling that pulls us into the ambience of a by-gone era, the book contains valuable lessons. This is a delightful memoires and Author kept me captivated to want to know what was going to happen next.

⭐ Rating : 4.5/5 🌟⭐
⭐ Must Recommended 🌟
Profile Image for Trisha Halder.
111 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2023

Tizistwar Nou Pays, tales of simpler times by Nanda Pavaday translates as the history of our country. This book consists of 24 stories about small things or deeds that we all did in our lives and they take readers back in time when smartphones weren't available in every house. Thus it actually talks about the history and people who lived back in that time. I loved the diversity of subjects that the author decided to talk about. It starts with New Years Eve and the preparations. The story was laid in the simplest of its form making it easy for the children to enjoy. There are stories about mango trees, football games, sugarcane fields etc which might not be that important for many people. But these may take the readers back to their past, reminding them of those bitter sweet memories Of childhood, something one will never get back again. The book is beautifully decorated with colorful pictures and glossy pages. Most importantly this book teaches about the local languages of Mauritius. I absolutely love to learn about different languages and the author has added notes at the end of every chapter making it easy For readers to grasp the foreign words. The cover is also very simple yet beautiful. This book can be enjoyed by children as well as adults. Another thing I loved about this book is that the stories are from Mauritius and its people, but they are equally relatable for me! As I kept on reading page after page I could easily remember my days and say that there's no difference in our asian households. Overall I really enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend it to everyone.

Profile Image for Abhijit Chakraborty.
Author 32 books7 followers
February 1, 2023
Book Title: Tizistwar nou pays
Author: Nanda Pavaday
Publisher: The Write Order
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Genre: Memoir
Pages: 238
Book Rating: 5/5

The best part of the book is its cover and title writing style. This is the most stylish book ever. If you turn the pages, you will feel that this is a memorable album with beautiful pictures. Readers will definitely fall in love with the book at first sight. I can say that this is a new-generation book. "Sa se enn liv nouvo zenerasyon."

This memoir is not just a book, it is full of captivating emotions. I would like to appreciate the author as well as the illustrator. This is an English version of the author's original Mauritian Creole and French book. The author is a Mauritian. Through this book, he has brought back the memories of his childhood in Mauritius and its culture. There are twenty-four short stories. Each story's name is unique and has a different soothing phrase. At the end of each story, the author's notes are provided to introduce some popular phrases from this ocean island nation.

I was obsessed with the book while reading it. The story has the power to make you laugh, nostalgic and sad. Language is simple and attractive. The narrative as written by the author can be visualized. Readers easily can connect with the stories. This book also helps in knowing a different language called Mauritian Creole. Although all the stories are mind-blowing, but I liked the story 'Film Indien' most. In our childhood, the same thing happened except in our case, we had only Doordarshan as the primary TV channel and on different days the films were broadcasted.
Profile Image for Aparna Prabhu.
533 reviews44 followers
February 4, 2023
"Tizisitwar nou pays, therefore, is another Mauritius, it is the Mauritius of our feelings, of our experiences"

- Nanda Pavaday

When I turned the pages of the book, I felt as if I'm flipping the pages of a photo album, another thing of the past that evokes a sense of nostalgia. It transported me back to a time when I had heard similar anecdotes about an era gone by. But this time, re-living them through the author's experiences was sheer joy and pure bliss.

'Tizisitwar nou pays' is a celebration of the human spirit that binds us together across cultural lines. Mauritian culture is at the forefront but what ties it to other communities is the author's personal experiences. The instances unearthed a layer of nostalgia that was submerged within the vast ocean of life.

The narrative created an atmosphere of the 80s and 90s where the New Year was welcomed with open arms dissolving any bitterness if any, watching movies was a time when the family and the neighbors huddled near the cathode ray TV and a trip to the corner store meant dreaming with eyes open. The glossy pages take the reader on several journeys with the author himself before they are left to ponder over their own. In short, reading the book was like discovering a time capsule.

Nanda Pavaday uses storytelling as a medium to introduce his motherland to the audience. We get to witness the island being susceptible to cyclones, a chief cultivator of sugar cane, and its citizens passionate about football. Mauritius is the prime focus of the book not only through the instances but also through the incorporation of its local dialect in the English translation.
Profile Image for Prayukta Padelkar.
186 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2023
"𝑻𝒊 𝒛𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒘𝒂𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒖𝒔, 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒖𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔"
.
.
🪅 Nanda Pavaday's "Ti Zistwar Nou Pays, Tales of Simpler Times" interprets more on our nation 's heritage. This novel is made up of a caboodle of 24 short fictions about everyday acts of kindness, benevolence and charity, that propels readers back to a period before cellphones were even accessible.
.
🪅 The plot genuinely discusses the olden era's history and inhabitants. I admired the writer's choice to cover such a wide range of topics. New Year's Eve festivities are where it all begins. The scenario was presented in its most coherent way, which made it simpler for kids to comprehend. Mango bushes, soccer matches, sugarcane farms, and other topics that would perhaps not appear relevant to several folks are highlighted in these anecdotes. Nonetheless, these could transfer the audience to their yesteryears by conjuring up those melancholy early recollections, which are impossible to obtain anymore. The paperback has glossy flex sheets and bright illustrations that are well adorned. Besides, this work also educates more about the indigenous dialects of Mauritius.
.
🪅 There is no one narrative, yet every tale has one important aspect which conveys and connects well with the audience. The language used is apprehensible and lucid enough, while the cover and visuals of the novel is just oh-so-beautifully impeccable! The narrative style is lovely and concise. The topics presented are pleasant and nostalgic. Overall, recommending this evocative, nostalgic collection of tales to everyone out there!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.