ସ୍ଵପ୍ନ ଦେଖିବା ମନା - Swapna Dekhiba Mana - Lalit Kumar Pani (2004)

In the last posting I talked about the lack of readership of Oriya literature. However, seldom you see authors going around selling their books from door to door. My sister once came across this author in her office and trying to sell a bag full of books. She was moved and bought a copy. We did not have a great expectation but when I sifted through the stories I was moved.

All the stories have a sense of pathos. Of course in some sense it matches to the author's situation and associating it to the stories. But the style of the writing is of high quality. Undoubtedly a great work. There are good use of simile. For example, the main story "Swapna Dekhiba Mana" is a story of betrayals by showing a dream which everyone can relate to their personal lives. However, as you read through the book not all the stories can keep you involved though.

Overall a good read.