Vices of Eden by Arpita Bhawal
According to Arpita Bhawal, ” What’s Life, anyways, without good stories that ring true?”
Inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, Arpita masterfully spins tales,centred around the seven deadly sins and Death, Judgement, Hell and Heaven. Each story, set in contemporary settings, is deeply introspective and moving. With women as the protagonists, Arpita deftly portrays their relationships, trials and moods, in relationship with Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth and the Last Four Things. The stories are easy to read, yet create the intrigue and suspense that keeps the reader hooked till the very last page. From Juhi’s Pride in her supernatural ability to Luna’s Gluttony for materialistic vices, Arpita hits a chord by questioning today’s sensibilities and driving force, which are no different from those that condemned humankind to hell in the mythical Garden of Eden.
As in Dante’s epic poem, the reader passes through the nine circles of Inferno in order to attain salvation. While some stories talk about unfulfilled love, there is hope in stories like Rosa’s Day, Mirror, Mirror and Power Out.
Readers may not relate to all the stories, but with her debut short story collection of tales that may possibly be true and unfolding somewhere in today’s world, Arpita hopes that everyone can get what they need from them and explore the questions they may raise in the readers’ minds.
With Vices of Eden, Arpita brings back the charm of short stories from the by-gone era of O’ Henry, R.K.Narayan and Somerset Maugham.
Rating- 4.5/5
Vices of Eden
Arpita Bhawal
201 pages
Notion Press
About artikabakshi
Reblogged this on Art of the Matter and commented:
Amazing review by Artika Bakshi of The Good Book Corner on #VicesOfEden – She writes: “With Vices of Eden, Arpita brings back the charm of short stories from the by-gone era of O’ Henry, R.K.Narayan and Somerset Maugham.”
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Agree with the review. Waiting for the next book.
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