Book Review - Encounters by Sumana Khan

Encounters.  Somehow the cover of the book is a little deceptive. I had no idea what lay between the pages. And Sumana Khan has a fan. Encounters is one of the best books I have read in recent times
and though the book is listed in Fantasy/ Horror category on e-commerce sites, this is undoubtedly literary fiction.  The fantasy or horror never goes over the top and the author has seamlessly woven lot of social and contemporary issues in the stories.

First Love – The first story and probably the best in the collection is Ratna’s story. Ratna is almost every woman. A woman who is judged by her marital status or whether she has popped out a baby or two. The sheltered woman who is suddenly left with an unknown man by none other than her parents because husbands or prospective good grooms can do no wrong. But unlike most women who succumb, Sumana Khan’s Ratna has Vrka who would go to any extent to protect her and keep her safe.  Which woman wouldn’t want a Vrka? Whether he is just an illusion or a wolf or maybe her perfect man is for the readers to find out.


The Storyteller- This story made me cry. I still remember that December morning when I was living at a hostel and had groggily opened the newspaper to the heartbreaking news of Tsunami. But with time the heartbreaks were forgotten and with it was forgotten the lives lost that day. The Storyteller is Murugan’s story who is an agarbatti seller and is pretty successful in his career. On a particular Christmas day he succeeds in heavy sales and as he rides his two-wheeler back home traffic snarls lead him to lesser travelled road via Karaikkal.  And from there it was no looking back for this reader. The story of Thirukadal, the relationships, the tsunami, and humanity all woven in one little short story.

Reminiscence- This is Raghavan’s tale. A retired man who reminisces about his thirty- five-year long marriage and his wife Radha, of love and closure. A sweetly woven story

Happiness Clinic – Sheshadri’s story is my favorite title in the book. The man who has worked for  forty-five years as an accountant is no sick of the constant suggestions from people around him about how to better his life. His outburst at a public event is very relatable.  When Sheshadri reaches the Happiness Clinic the story goes to the next level. An interesting read.


Best Friends Forever-  Prerna and her friend Alice are best buddies. Prerna who has been traumatized as a child faints at her workplace after seventeen long years. And then you don’t know if Alice is real or an illusion.

Sumana Khan’s storytelling will give you goosebumps as you pass from one story to another.  I received a paperback for review and even though my review is late I am glad I got to read the book twice. A must read indeed.