Sunday, May 17, 2026 18:45 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, May 17, 2026 13:44 [IST]
Author: Vandana Kumari Jena
Publisher: Rupa Publications India
Swansong is a collection of short stories set in various locations in India and abroad, exploring diverse themes such as suicide, revenge, grief, autism, love, and much, much more.
The stories are beautifully written, underscoring the author's exemplary writing skills. Every story is intriguing, with its share of twists and turns, many of which were deliciously unpredictable. Moreover, all the endings are expertly executed. They are not always happy endings, but they are invariably satisfying, their effect lingering on as I moved to the next story.
I must admire how Ms. Jena has tackled and done full justice to sensitive themes like autism, the hazardous effects of smoking, and assisted death.
The characters are lovable, and I could relate to every one of them. Regardless of the story's length, Ms. Jena succeeds in penning memorable characters who have their fair share of flaws and yet are worth rooting for. Even in the shorter stories, I found myself marvelling at how Ms. Jena effortlessly creates significant conflicts and gratifying resolutions.
The language is lucid and classy, garnished with exquisite wordplay now and then, but overall fluid and eminently readable. The short paragraphs also enhance the readability. The descriptions are vivid, and the grammar and punctuation are also near-flawless except for some minor inconsistencies.
Overall, Swansong is a hidden gem, an excellent collection of short stories that deserves to be read by all fiction lovers. Highly recommended.
