RaveAsymptote JournalThrough this depth and breadth, the author sheds light on the sociocultural totems prevalent during his time—many that remain common today—via the intimate perspectives of individual lives, welcoming readers back to a slower time to unshroud the various, powerful details pervading the day to day ... It is up to the reader to extend the message of the story, using their own thoughts and experiences to exercise its full potentialities ... In her translation, Jenny Bhatt invites the reader into Dhumketu’s world as an expert guide; not only does her introduction draw a map—complete with instructions on how to understand its complexities—but she remains present throughout the text, conducting the reader through any unfamiliar history, culture, and language via footnotes and a glossary ... A kaleidoscope, abundant in variegating depictions of both landscapes and the human interiors populating them ... In each story, be it through the vibrant description of person or place, Dhumketu encourages his readers to look further at the small aspects of life and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
Asja Bakic Trans. by Jennifer Zoble
RaveThe stories shift seamlessly in genre from science fiction to dystopian horror, and Bakić deftly combines aspects of speculative fiction and realism to form a cohesive collection that explores universal issues. Bakić has a unique, perceptive voice ... Bakić injects an ironic sense of humor into many of her stories to satirize modern life ... What makes these stories shine is Bakić’s matter-of-fact style, as if she is simply telling you about her day. She doesn’t make the message garish or blatantly obvious. Rather, the stories are almost understated, which makes the twists even more attention-grabbing. In her translation, writer and translator Jennifer Zoble is careful to create a parallel experience for English readers, maintaining a steady tone and pleasant reading experience throughout. I even had to remind myself a few times that the book was translated, as it reads so smoothly, and the themes are truly global in scope. Bakić’s array of genres allow her to explore a vast array of universal issues, with everything from social to existential implications. From the very first story, the exciting plot lines and thought-provoking topics keep you reading and wanting more...
