“Bombay Review & Other Stories ”, a deeply engaging book, has been most elegantly crafted by Ravi Valluri, a renowned Indian author. Ravi has carved his niche in quality literature with his marvellous and breathtaking literary masterpieces. He is acknowledged today as one of India’s supremely sublime literary wits. His magnum opus work “Bombay Review & Other Stories” has emerged as an emotive and captivating work that dwells on varied and subtle aspects of human persona and umpteen emotions associated with a man. The stories enshrined in this collection remarkably reflect over various aspects of life, including drama, romance, ambition, betrayal, and the clash between ethics and unethical choices.
Most of the modern day fiction writers are of the opinion that plot is the soul of a story. Therefore, they invest a major chunk of their energy in weaving a well-knit plot but in their dogged pursuit of creating a fully cohesive and coherent plot, they wittingly or unwittingly leave their characters in somewhat neglected state. Here deviating from the prevalent culture of story writing, the author of this book has been fully cognisant to the needs of his characters. It is the commendably convincing portrayal of most of his characters in these tales, through whom, the narratives are unfolded and on the shoulder of whom,the structure of well organised plots have been erected. In the context of the plot construction when the term ‘Well Organised Plot’ has been referred to, it is not to be misconstrued in the sense of the Victorian Era of fiction writing. A well-organised plot is not necessarily shorn of psychological brooding. Ravi’s plots are really gripping and absolutely well-organised which give the readers a sense of deep conviction. And such is the charisma of Ravi’s characters that as a critic, you feel enormously impelled to expound on them more and more. Having a close connect with the characters, a literary critic is bound to formulate an opinion that the author of “Bombay Review” has adhered to the Literary Canons of Great Greek Master Aristotle who lays strong emphasis on the idea of Probability and Relatability in characterisation. Hence, all of the characters appear to be men and women walking shoulder to shoulder with us in our day-to-day real life.
The themes of the stories exquisitely explores the intricate web of human emotions and behavior, drawing parallels from the Mahabharata, Panchatantra, and Zen stories. The anthology must be adulated for its unfathomably subtle and sensitive exploration of moral values, depicting a world where retribution and nemesis are bound to catch up with you.Hence, the noble literary idea of Poetic Justice prevails extremely and excellently well. Another aspects that calls for the keen observation of the literary critics is the language of these stories, which in the words of Roland Barthes, determines the success and failure of a literary piece.
The perfect choice of lexical items and smooth and flawless syntax elevate the book to the level of a sublime and splendiferous work of art.
And that is what makes the author a blessing for millions. Simplicity is the hallmark of Ravi’s style and his peerless creative prowess makes him inimitably outstanding.
Certainly, the stories of Bombay Review are going to be greatly delicious delicacies to the literary tastebuds of fiction-hungry readers.