Author: Faraaz Kazi, Vivek Banerjee
Publisher: DigiImprint Solutions
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,063 Paid in Kindle Store
No. of Pages:209 pgs.
Disclaimer: I got this book from the Publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
Blurb
"A slow rasping sound made me turn. I jumped back, the cell phone leaving my hands and smashing against the concrete floor. Someone was seated on the chair, rocking back and forth. Through the fallen light, I could see those hands placed on the arms of the chair, two gruesome wrinkled limbs with ugly boils plastered over the black skin. The red bangles on its wrists shone in my eyes, momentarily blinding me. That thing and I call it a thing because I could sense it wasn't human as no human could have such a hideous form, as vile an existence as the one seated opposite to my horrified self."
From a honeymoon in the hill that goes horribly wrong to an obsessed lover who wants his first love in life and in death; From a mentally deranged man who collects body parts of various women to stitch together his dream girl to a skeptic who enters a mansion of horrors to win a bet and much more, this book is filled with scenarios that are guaranteed to give you goosebumps and sleepless nights.
'The Other Side' is a collection of thirteen tales of the paranormal; a world that our eyes refuse to see, our ears deny hearing and our senses ignore the feel of. This is a book for someone who is brave enough to take up this invitation to journey through uncharted waters along with the authors, who were inspired by some bizarre experiences to pen down this work where the lines of reality have been blurred by the footsteps of imagination.
Each story takes you on a tour de force of unadulterated horror and draws upon the deepest fear in the human mind- the fear of the UNKNOWN!
Buy@
Review
The Horror Genre has always fascinated me. The sense of timing, the sense of invoking the fear factor in the reader's inward eye -all should be timed perfectly. One can say it is the other side of Comedy. So did Faraaz and Vivek achieve this? To some extend yes. As with all anthologies - some are hits and some are misses. But one thing I can guarantee you - there is no lack of factor FEAR in any of the stories.
The stories have been woven from old wives tales to the modern scenario. Beautifully done. In Bangla, there is a collection of stories - Takurma'r Jhuli.. (Bag of stories of Gandma) and these stories literally took me to my childhood when I would hear my Dadu narrating these kinds of stories having shaakchinni et al. (daayen or banshee can be called the cousins of this breed :D)
Some stories like the Fateful Night and Lady in the Pub were predictable, but worth reading. Anyone who has seen the Zee horror show can predict the outcome. Well, that could also mean you all won't admit having seen that "mind gobbling" show and thus cannot predict the end. **(whispering," psst.. I have seen every damn episode so could predict the end. Thank you Mr. Ramsay!)
Stories like Long Weekend touched my heart. More than fear, it was the feeling of sadness that engulfed me. Very well executed.
Few stories like The Man Who Knew No Fear, Mark of the Beast, Mystery Lake and Mother's Love were very ambiguous. No. I think the right word would be 'arty' at the cost of looking like a bimbo, it took me some time to understand them. They had many hidden layers and for a short, horror story, it deviates the readers from the fear factor.
Strangers in the Night puts my dream of cross country hitchhiking to the can. Don't say I didn't warn you, but again the ending was one with a twist and even with my Phd. from Ramsay University I could not predict it. Betcha you can't too.
The Muse comes Calling is superb! A must read for all writers.. You all will start writing HEA ..:D
Red Bangle is another story which touched my heart. From a woman's point of view, this story is a must for all ladies. Thank you Faraaz and Vivek for writing this and showing your respect for women. Now all we have to do now is to turn it into a reality every time a Vinay strikes!
Unfulfilled Desire is a well written and a page turner. The twist specially was unexpected. I found one thing about all the stories in this anthology. The way the words flowed, interweaving each story with each other. All are different, yet the voice in all the stories stand out as one. Considering the fact, that two writers have come together to write this - it is really commendable.
The stories have been woven from old wives tales to the modern scenario. Beautifully done. In Bangla, there is a collection of stories - Takurma'r Jhuli.. (Bag of stories of Gandma) and these stories literally took me to my childhood when I would hear my Dadu narrating these kinds of stories having shaakchinni et al. (daayen or banshee can be called the cousins of this breed :D)
Some stories like the Fateful Night and Lady in the Pub were predictable, but worth reading. Anyone who has seen the Zee horror show can predict the outcome. Well, that could also mean you all won't admit having seen that "mind gobbling" show and thus cannot predict the end. **(whispering," psst.. I have seen every damn episode so could predict the end. Thank you Mr. Ramsay!)
Stories like Long Weekend touched my heart. More than fear, it was the feeling of sadness that engulfed me. Very well executed.
Few stories like The Man Who Knew No Fear, Mark of the Beast, Mystery Lake and Mother's Love were very ambiguous. No. I think the right word would be 'arty' at the cost of looking like a bimbo, it took me some time to understand them. They had many hidden layers and for a short, horror story, it deviates the readers from the fear factor.
Strangers in the Night puts my dream of cross country hitchhiking to the can. Don't say I didn't warn you, but again the ending was one with a twist and even with my Phd. from Ramsay University I could not predict it. Betcha you can't too.
The Muse comes Calling is superb! A must read for all writers.. You all will start writing HEA ..:D
Red Bangle is another story which touched my heart. From a woman's point of view, this story is a must for all ladies. Thank you Faraaz and Vivek for writing this and showing your respect for women. Now all we have to do now is to turn it into a reality every time a Vinay strikes!
Unfulfilled Desire is a well written and a page turner. The twist specially was unexpected. I found one thing about all the stories in this anthology. The way the words flowed, interweaving each story with each other. All are different, yet the voice in all the stories stand out as one. Considering the fact, that two writers have come together to write this - it is really commendable.
Rating
As I have said some stories really touched the heart and a few flew over my head. In order to create the surreal ambiance and to keep the fear factor for part II of the story, it left the readers feeling a bit dissatisfied. Maybe as a reader, I want all the loose ends tied. But I suppose we get the same feeling when we watch an Evil Death or Nightmare On Elm Street. A good read for horror lovers ! Don't miss it out.
Currently Reading
Ha ha ha. A review of horror stories, and a touch of humour. That's a first. I loved the reference to the Ramsays. I can hear the creak of the ancient wooden door of a Spanish hacienda set in Ramgarh. Will definitely have a look at the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Neelesh for dropping by. This book had its moments.:D
DeleteThis is one genre I am not to keen on reading but you have a beautiful review.
ReplyDeleteSpinel chilling. And I don't want to read it as I am scared enough by the review.
Actually Inderpreet, Some of the stories are really cool. More than scary, they are emotional.
DeleteBurning stars are a master stroke.
ReplyDeleteRamsay University Phd.. :D
Deletei loved those burning stars! haha!
ReplyDeleteMy friend has read this book and has nice opinions abt this..will try it sometimes :)
thanks for the kind review. Glad you like the book.
ReplyDelete